This Week’s Gradution Schedule, New Security Guidelines
May 21, 2018
Graduation ceremonies will be held this week for most Escambia County schools, and there are important new security rules in place for those held at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The schedule is as follows:
May 21 – 11:00 Camelot Academy at First Baptist Church of Warrington
May 21 – 6:00 p.m. Judy Andrews (Second Chance) at Pensacola High School
May 23- George Stone EMT/Fire Academy 6p.m., Washington High
May 23 – George Stone Criminal Justice Center, 7 p.m. West Florida High
May 24 – at Pensacola Bay Center:
11:00 a.m. J.M. Tate High School
2:30 p.m. West Fla. High School
6:00 p.m. Pine Forest High School
May 25 – at Pensacola Bay Center:
11:00 a.m. Escambia High School
2:30 p.m. Pensacola High School
6:00 p.m. B.T. Washington High School
The Escambia County School District distributed the following security information for graduations held at the Pensacola Bay Center:
“There will be metal detectors in use. All patrons and bags are subject to a security search. Friends and family are encouraged to leave all gift exchanges for another location. Bags are limited to 12 inches and clutch purses size limit is 4.5” x 6.5” Camera lens must be 6 inches long or less. All attendees will be asked to remove keys and cell phones for the security search (belts, watches, jackets and jewelry may be left on and change and wallets may remain in a purse or pocket). Items that will be prohibited in the building include: large bags, backpacks, waist packs, strollers, noisemakers, signs or banners, containers, glass items, wrapped gifts. You may not bring in outside food or drinks. Also prohibited are any weapons, spikes, chains, laser pointers. Patrons with these items inside may be ejected from the venue. Umbrellas are restricted, but in the event of inclement weather, they will be allowed once cleared by security. Bay Center Security may also ban any other item deemed inappropriate or challenging to public safety.”
Students Cast Ballots For Favorite Books With Supervisor Of Elections Help
May 21, 2018
Students across Escambia County voted for their favorite books in Sunshine State Youth Reader Award book elections with the help of the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections.
The winning book at Ransom Middle School was “The War That Saved My Life”.
At McArthur Elementary School, 120 students cast a ballot. The favorite book among second graders was “Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea”, while third through fifth grade students chose “The Wild Robot”.
At Lipscomb Elementary School, the top book was “Maxi’s Secrets: Or What You Can Learn From a Dog”.
Pictured: Sunshine State Youth Reader Award book elections at Lipscomb Elementary (top), Ransom Middle School (below) and MrArthur Elementary (bottom). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
May 21, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of May 21-25:
Monday, May 21
Library Board of Governance – 4 p.m., 1301 W. Gregory St.
Tuesday, May 22
HUD Annual Plan Public Meeting – 5:30 p.m., 420 W. Chase St.
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room
Wednesday, May 23
Coffee with Commissioner Bergosh – 6:30 a.m., McDonald’s, 5 S. Blue Angel Parkway
DSM Professional Advisory Committee – 8:30 a.m.,Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Santa Rosa Island Authority Committee – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach
Santa Rosa Island Authority Budget Workshop – 5:05 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach
Thursday, May 24
FloridaWest EDA Board of Directors – 1 p.m., 418 W. Garden St., Room 307
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
County Renews Contract For Lake Stone Caretaker
May 21, 2018
The Escambia County Commission is extending their caretaker agreement for the Lake Stone Campground near Century.
Dennis Keith Cole will continue to manage thee facility for another year, until May 31, 2019. He will be paid $11,400 in 12 equal monthly installments of $950 with housing and utilities provided. Cole was first named Lake Stone caretaker in June 2013.
Lake Stone Campground is a 100-acre campground and boat ramp facility located at 801 West Highway 4. The campground has 77 campsites for everything from big RV rigs to tents. Lake Stone is the Escambia County’s only facility located on a fresh water lake. The facilities include a boat ramp , indoor public use pavilion, a playground, showers, restrooms, a fishing pier, security lights, electrical and water hookups, a sewage dump station, picnic areas and the lake.
The Lake Stone pavilion or campsites can be reserved by calling the Lake Stone campground manager at (850) 256-5555 or Escambia County Parks and Recreation at (850) 475-5220.
Since the inception of the Lake Stone Campground, the County has entered into an agreement for on-site caretaker/management services at the facility.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Celebrates Reading With Star Wars Party
May 21, 2018
Bratt Elementary School held a Star Wars themed Accelerated Reader Party for students that met their reading goals for the year.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Report Says Changes Will Increase Health Premiums
May 21, 2018
Premiums for health insurance plans sold on the federal marketplace are expected to increase by nearly 16.9 percent in Florida next year due to changes in the Affordable Care Act, according to a new analysis released Friday.
Released by the Center for American Progress, the analysis estimates that a decision by Congress and President Donald Trump to repeal the mandate that people buy health insurance, coupled with proposed changes to the types of policies that can be sold, will increase premiums for Floridians by $1,011.
The report by the left-leaning group estimates that the average unsubsidized health insurance premium for a 40-year-old male buying a marketplace policy in 2019 will be $6,995.
The Affordable Care Act has provided subsidies for many people buying coverage, reducing their costs. More than. 1.7 million Floridians enrolled in the health insurance marketplace this year, with more than 1.5 million receiving subsidies either in the form of advanced premium tax credits or additional cost-sharing reductions that help lower co-payments and co-insurance requirements.
The new analysis accounts for the impact of repealing the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that individuals buy health-insurance policies as well as a Trump administration proposed rule to rescind limits on the sale of short-term insurance plans.
The individual mandate, one of the most-controversial parts of the federal health-care law commonly known as Obamacare, was repealed as part of a tax overhaul that passed in December.
In a prepared statement, Topher Spiro, vice president for health policy at the Center for American Progress, blasted Trump and Congress for what he called “sabotage of the insurance marketplaces.”
“First they passed massive tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, and now they’re asking middle-class Americans and people with pre-existing conditions to pick up the tab,” Spiro said. “They should be focused on lowering health care costs, not increasing them and intentionally undermining the stability of the insurance marketplaces that millions of Americans benefit from.”
The analysis came a day after Florida Democratic members of Congress sent a letter to Gov Rick Scott urging him to take steps to protect Floridians from spikes in health insurance premiums. They also asked that Scott — who adamantly opposes the Affordable Care Act — require health plans to provide for essential health benefits, like hospital care or prescription drugs, and raised concerns that consumers could end up buying low-benefit plans.
“These junk plans would return patients to the days where only upon illness did they discover their plans imposed limits on coverage and excluded vital benefits,” said the letter, signed by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, Congresswoman Kathy Castor and 10 other Democratic members of the delegation. Nelson faces an election challenge in November from Scott.
The letter asked Scott to work with state Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier to take steps to make sure consumers are kept safe. Democrats also asked that Scott consider investing in outreach and enrollment efforts and help provide funding to navigators who can connect patients with the federal marketplace. Floridians buy coverage through the federal marketplace because the state decided against setting up its own exchange.
John Tupps, a spokesman for Scott, said the governor’s office received the letter, adding that “Congress hasn’t controlled the nation’s health care costs or passed a balanced budget in decades.”
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida
Generals Blank Wahoos 6-0
May 21, 2018
Saturday it was Taylor Widener who stymied the Wahoos bats. Sunday, it was Ryan Atkinson’s turn, and the former indy ball pitcher twirled six shutout innings in Jackson’s 6-0 win at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
For the second consecutive game, Jackson’s offense jumped out in front early. After a single from Jamie Westbrook, Rudy Flores cranked his seventh home run of the season off Vladimir Gutierrez (L, 1-6) to put the guests up 2-0. Jackson’s offense was relentless as they added runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings before they tallied one final run in the eighth. When the dust settled on Sunday’s contest, the Generals finished with six runs on 10 hits.
Gutierrez pitched five innings and surrendered a season-high five earned runs for the second time this year. His usual pinpoint command was absent in his ninth start of 2018. He often fell behind the General batters and issued a four-pitch walk to Marcus Littlewood in the fourth inning. Former Blue Wahoo and current Cincinnati Red, Michael Lorenzen, made his scheduled two-inning rehab appearance in the sixth inning, and did so in flawless fashion. Lorenzen retired all six batters he faced and struck out two.
The Wahoos offense sputtered again Sunday as Atkinson kept Pensacola’s bats in check. Despite recording hits in the first three innings of the game, the Wahoos were unable to drive any of the runners home. Atkinson navigated through trouble again the fifth inning after Alberti Chavez singled and C.J. McElroy walked, but the former Cincinnati Bearcat struck out Luis Gonzalez and got Brian O’Grady to pop out to end the threat. Atkinson struck out the side in the sixth before being lifted from the game, capping off a season-best 10 strikeout performance. Sam Lewis and Bud Jeter allowed one baserunner over the game’s final three innings. The Blue Wahoos have now been shut out three times this season.
Jackson’s starting pitchers have been the difference through the first four games of the series. Pensacola has pushed across three runs against the Generals starting rotation. The Wahoos are just 16-for-96 against Justin Donatella, Alex Young, Taylor Widener, and Atkinson. It gets no easier for Pensacola when they face the Diamondbacks top prospect in right-hander Jon Duplantier, who led all of minor league baseball last season with a 1.39 ERA. Duplantier was named the MLB Pipeline Pitcher of the Year in 2017 and also pitched for Team USA in the 2017 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
Tomorrow’s finale is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with the Wahoos hoping to avoid a five-game sweep. Wyatt Strahan (4-2, 6.18) will get the green light for Pensacola while Duplantier (2-1, 2.96) looks to seal the deal for Jackson.
Graduation Held For Northview High School Class Of 2018
May 20, 2018
The 87 members of the Northview High School Class of 2018 graduated Saturday.
“Friendship and determination have guided us through these four years, and we’ve finally reached that light at the end of the tunnel,” Salutatorian Sarah Perritt said. “I know that the most important lessons will stay with us. Those little pieces of life advice taught in the gap between common core nonsense.
Perritt’s speech took an emotional turn as she looked at her mother sitting on the front row of the audience.
“Today marks exactly one year since I lost my dad….I know that others in my class have lost friends and loved ones as well. So I’d like to give a loving thank you to my dad and to all the loved ones that would have given anything to be with us today,” she said to a standing ovation. “The lessons that they taught us, and the love that they gave us with stay with us forever.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Valedictorian Triston Long used superhero analogies as he addressed the Northview Class of 2018.
“All of you sitting here today has a superpower of your own. Sure, you may not know any magical spells or have telepathy or have access to enough money to build a suit of armor that can fly and shoot laser beams, and if you do I want a joy ride,” Long said. “But all of us have powers to make a difference in the world”
“What I’m asking of you is do not let these powers…go to waste. Instead, use your powers for good. All of you here possess a great power. So take that power and responsibility with you and use it to become the heroes that our nation deserves; become the heroes that our nation needs you to be. Don’t be another Clark Kent that is blending into the crowd; instead become your own superhero.”
School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas praised the Class of 2018 for their numerous academic and athletic accomplishments, and for earning over three-quarters of a million dollars in scholarship money.
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For a photo gallery, click here.
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above) graduates were, in class rank order:
1. Triston Parker Long
2. Sarah Elizabeth Perritt
3. Hannah Grace Nelson
4. Tara Faith Windham
5. Destiny McKenna Watson
6. Hannah Mascaro
7. Jacob Andrew White
8. Anna Belle Barberree
9. Miracle Breanna Deloach
10. Kayla Nicole Galvan
11. Logan Daniel Calloway
12. Alayna Lauren Brown
Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) were:
13. John Elmer Chivington Jr.
14. Bailee Brianna Hinote
Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates were:
15. Jason Riley Fischer
16. Logan Michael Doremus
17. Jarrod Latrell Davison
18. Bria Ashlynn Hardy
19. Laura Abbygale Hammond
20. Braxton Wade Edwards
21. Robin Marie Nahkala
22. Natasha Nykeria Walker
Northview Class Of 2018, In Alphabetic Order:
Triyell Latrel Abraham
Joshua Levitt Bailey
Anna Belle Barberree
Kristopher Samuel Baxter
Haley Marie Black
Jenna Lynn Black
Alayna Lauren Brown
Dawson Christopher Brown
Jakeldria Quadranae Brown
Beau Deon Bryan
Timmith Lloyd Bush
Michael Dylan Caddick
Logan Daniel Calloway
Alexandra Jordan Carter
Hunter Ellis Carter
John Elmer Chivington
Rhaye’shawnna Q. Davidson
Jarrod Latrell Davison
Joseph Eli Deese
Miracle Breanna Deloach
John Donavan Dixon
Logan Michael Doremus
Braxton Wade Edwards
Justin Ivan Elliott
Vince Edward Farrish
Clayton Chandler Findley
Jason Riley Fischer
Kayla Nicole Galvan
Austin Laine Ging
Matthew Daniel Glover
Victoria Elisse Grammer
Joel Clint Gunter
Dalton Wayne Hadley
Logan Eugene Hall
Laura Abbygale Hammond
John Wesley Hardin
Bria Ashlynn Hardy
Justin Cole Hassebrock
Justin Wesley Helton
Mya Alliysha Henderson
Bailee Brianna Hinote
Saphia Oriana Clotee Iniguez
Victoria Grace Johnson
Laura Lynn Kinley
Cody Alan Kite
Triston Parker Long
Tyanna Nikeria Magee
Hannah Mascaro
Lari Alyxs McCann
Wyatt Lee Morris
Robin Marie Nahkala
Anna Louise Nelson
Hannah Grace Nelson
Theodore Byron Nelson
Savana Paige Nielsen
Celeste Brianna North
Jordan Hope Parham
Sarah Elizabeth Perritt
Meagan Star Reid
Connor Stephen Riley
Orelbis Oscar Rodriguez
Mary Nicole Sanders
Dillan Matthew Sasser
Tristen David Segers
Andrew Allen Sharpless
Trevor Spinks Singleton
Shyheim Raekwon Smith
Fisher Logan Spence
Hunter Ashton Spence
Brandon Ty’bree Spencer
Skylar Alexander Spruill
Courtney Alyssa M. Stokes
Myisha L’Dell Syria
Victoria Denise Thames
Brian Evan Till
Natasha Nykeria Walker
Logan Alexander Walters
Hayley Alexandria Ward
Jayda Lane Warner
Destiny McKenna Watson
Jacob Andrew White
Kirsten Nicole White
Madison Skye White
Camilla Mary Windham
Tara Faith Windham
Hunter Dolton Witt
Joseph Marquies Wright
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Crime Tech Arrested For Stealing Drugs
May 20, 2018
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene technician has arrested for allegedly stealing narcotics.
Christine Rollins, 41, was “stealing narcotics of the deceased from the ECSO evidence building,” according to the Sheriff’s Office. She was charged with with trafficking hydrocodone, trafficking oxycodone, petit theft and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. She remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $72,100.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan ordered Rollins be terminated.
Rollins’ address and mugshot are not available under Florida law because of her law enforcement affiliation.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts: Highway 29 And Other Delays
May 20, 2018
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. In preparation for the Memorial Day Holiday, there will be no lane closures or other activities which impede traffic on state roads beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, May 25 and ending at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 29.
Escambia County:
- State Road (S.R.) 750 (Airport Boulevard) from S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) to S.R. 289 (9th Avenue) – Intermittent lane closure on Airport Boulevard eastbound, near Davis Highway, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be installing guardrail.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road)- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 20 through Thursday, May 24 as follows:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 20 through Thursday, May 24 as crews pave the roadway.
· I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 20 through Thursday, May 24:
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- Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).
· U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 20 through Thursday, May 24 as crews perform construction activities.
· U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road – Construction activities are underway on the U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) resurfacing project. Any work that will require lane restrictions will take place from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, May 20 through Thursday, May 25.
· U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Intersection improvement at County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road)- Work to improve the intersection of State Road 10A (Mobile Highway) at Beulah Road in Escambia County is scheduled to begin the week of Monday, May 21. To help minimize traffic impacts, much of the construction work will take place behind a low-profile concrete barrier wall. No lane closures will be allowed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, no lane closures will be scheduled during special school events.
· S.R. 298 (Lillian Highway) Underground Utility Operations between 48th and 49th Avenues- The eastbound lane will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, May 21 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 22 as crews perform underground utility work.
· U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Construction Activities between Blue Angel Parkway and Godwin Lane- East and westbound traffic will encounter lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 22 and Wednesday, May 23 as crews install curb dividers and double yellow lines by the entrance to Walmart.
· S.R. 298 (Lillian Highway) Routine Maintenance at the intersection of 75th Avenue- There will be lane restrictions on Lillian Highway from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 22 as crew remove a tree near the roadway. Traffic flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic control.
Santa Rosa County:
- US. 90 over White River Bridge Cathodic Protection- Westbound traffic will encounter intermittent lane restrictions from west of Woodbine Road past the White River Bridge from 9 p.m. Friday, May 18 to 5 a.m. Saturday, May 19 as crews continue construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 20 through Thursday, May 24 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction at Joybrook Road in Navarre- Drivers will encounter intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, May 21 through Thursday, May 24 as crews pave turn and travel lanes at the intersection.
- S.R. 281 (Garcon Point Bridge) Maintenance Work- There will be intermittent lane closures on the Garcon Point Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, May 21 and Tuesday, May 22 as crews clean finger joints and repair deck spalls on the bridge. Traffic flaggers will be on site to assist drivers through the construction area.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Intermittent lane shifts on S.R. 87 north and southbound, between Eglin Air Force Base boundary and two miles south of the Yellow River, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. week of Sunday, May 20 as crew perform paving operations. Additionally, traffic between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.