Two Northview Weightlifters Win Districts, Team Takes Second Overall
March 12, 2018
Two Northview High School weightlifters won district championships as the Chiefs placed second overall.
During the District 1-1A weightlifting meet at Baker High School, two Chiefs claimed district championships. Senior Justin Helton won the unlimited division and sophomore Trent Kite won the 129-lb. division.
- 3rd Place: Colton Dockens (SO – 154-lb. class)
- 4th Place: Logan Bryan (FR – 119-lb. class
- 4th Place Dalton Hadley (SR – 139-lb. class);
- 4th Place: Jarius Moorer (JR – 154-lb. class)
- 4th Place: Aunterio Minor (SO – 169-lb. class)
- 4th Place; Ray’von Bush (JR – 183-lb. class)
- 4th Place Jojo Parker (SO – 199-lb. class)
- 5th Place: Lance McLaughlin (JR – 199-lb. class)
- 6th Place: Tyler Ray (FR – 129-lb. class)
Next for the Chiefs, all 11 individual placers will advance to the 2018 FHSAA Region 1 weight meet, to be held at Baker High School on Saturday, March 24.
Pictured top: Trent Kite (left) and Justin Helton won district weightlifting championships for the Northview Chiefs. Pictured below: The Chiefs team placed second overall. Pictured bottom: Helton and Kite on the podium. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Pass $88.7 Billing Budget To End Session, Scott Signs Education Bills
March 12, 2018
Florida lawmakers ended their 2018 session Sunday by passing an $88.7 billion budget, while Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation that provides record funding for Bright Futures college scholarships and continues expanding voucher-like programs for children to attend private schools.
In a 95-12 vote, the House approved the 2018-2019 budget (HB 5001), which takes effect on July 1. The Senate then approved the budget in a 31-5 vote, with opposition in both chambers coming from Democrats.
The votes concluded an annual session that ran two days into overtime after lawmakers failed to agree on a budget in time to observe a constitutionally required 72-hour “cooling-off” period before an expected Friday vote on the budget.
Republican leaders touted increases money for the education system. Funding in the kindergarten-through-high-school system increased by $101.50 per student, while performance funding for state universities was increased by $20 million.
“This is an outstanding year for education,” Scott said in a bill-signing ceremony with House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, and Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart.
Scott signed a higher-education bill (SB 4) that will permanently expand Bright Futures merit-based scholarships for university and state college students.
The bill, a top priority of Negron, will cover 100 percent of tuition and fees for some 48,155 students who qualify as Bright Futures “academic scholars” next school year and provide $300 for the fall and spring semesters for textbooks.
The legislation expands state aid to cover 75 percent of tuition and fees, representing $159 out of the average $211 per credit-hour cost, for 46,521 students who qualify as Bright Futures “medallion scholars.”
The expansion will result in a $520 million Bright Futures program in the new academic year, eclipsing the previous high of $429 million set in 2008-2009.
The budget continues expansion of the state’s main need-based aid program, Florida Student Assistance Grants, to support an estimated 236,724 students, who will receive average awards of $1,155.
Negron said the new law “restores the promise” of Bright Futures scholarships and was major part of his two-year quest as Senate president to raise the national profile of Florida’s university system.
“Through this legislation, the Legislature and Gov. Scott are telling Florida students and families that they can count on the Bright Futures scholarship as they plan their investment in an education at one of our excellent colleges or universities,” Negron said.
Scott also signed a far-ranging education bill (HB 7055), supported by Corcoran, that will expand the use of voucher-like scholarships to send more public-school students to private schools.
While Republican leaders touted that bill, it drew opposition from Democrats. Caroline Rowland, a spokeswoman for the Florida Democratic Party, issued a statement Sunday blasting Scott for signing HB 7055.
“Just like he’s done for years, Rick Scott is draining funding from our public schools in order to give his political donors and cronies another taxpayer funded handout — it’s just the latest demonstration that Scott puts his own self-serving politics over Florida’s schools, teachers and students,” Rowland said.
One program in the bill will let students who face bullying or harassment in public schools transfer to private schools. The “hope scholarships” will be funded by motorists who voluntarily agree to contribute the sales taxes they would normally pay on vehicle transactions to the scholarships. It is expected to generate $41.5 million for the scholarships in the next year.
The legislation also allows businesses that pay a state tax on commercial leases to voluntarily shift those funds to Gardiner scholarships, which pay for services and private-school scholarships for disabled students. The new budget boosts the Gardiner scholarships by $25 million to $128 million.
The law builds on Corcoran’s two-year effort as House speaker to expand school choice programs, with a particular focus on helping students in low-performing schools.
The legislation is coupled with a budget that provides another $140 million to the “schools of hope” program, which is aimed at providing more services to “persistently” low-performing schools and allowing more charter schools to serve students in those areas.
Corcoran said the goal is to give “all children of all districts, all neighborhoods, a real chance at a world-class education.”
The new law also contains a controversial provision that could force teachers’ unions to disband if their membership falls below 50 percent of the employees they represent in the contract-negotiating process. If decertified, the unions would be forced to reorganize and seek a new vote to represent the teachers.
“Nobody should be forced to be led when a majority of the people you are leading don’t want to be there,” Corcoran said.
The rare Sunday conclusion to the annual legislative session also marked Scott’s last regular session as governor.
He won support for a constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters in November, will require two-thirds votes by the Legislature to raise taxes or fees in the future.
Lawmakers also backed a $53 million initiative to deal with the state’s opioid crisis, which was another Scott priority.
Scott said he is pleased by pay raises in the state budget for law enforcement officers, including the Florida Highway Patrol, and workers at the Department of Juvenile Justice.
And he cited the Legislature’s support for requiring nursing homes and assisted living facilities to have generators to provide power to facilities in the aftermath of major storms.
But Scott, as well as Negron and Corcoran, said the 2018 session may be best remembered for the response following the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
The shooting, which killed 17 people, led to a $400 million school-safety initiative and legislation imposing new restrictions on gun purchases.
“Probably the most important thing we did this year is we listened to the families of Parkland. In very short period of time, we came together and passed historic legislation to make our schools safer,” Scott said. “This is my last regular legislative session and I couldn’t be more proud of this session than all eight sessions I’ve been a part of.”
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Local Teen Anglers Finish First In Escambia River Tournament
March 12, 2018
Panhandle Youth Anglers held their first tournament of the season recently on the Escambia River from the Swamp Shouse.
The first place team was Jacob Bryant of Cantonment and Nick Venable of Molino, both students at West Florida High School. They won with an overall weight of 7.29 pounds. Jacob also reeled in the biggest fish at 6.26 pounds.
The purpose of Panhandle Youth Anglers is to promote and encourage youth fishing and stimulate youth awareness of bass fishing as a major competitive sport in our community. Young Anglers are eligible to compete in high school series bass tournaments at the state and national level, which can provide scholarship opportunities.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Legislature Approves Naming Part Of Hwy 4 The “Sen. Greg Evers Memorial Highway”
March 12, 2018
The Florida Legislature has passed a bill naming a stretch of road in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties as “Senator Greg Evers Memorial Highway.” Evers, 62, died last summer in a single-vehicle accident near his home in Okaloosa County.
The bill provides the memorial designation to part of State Road 4 between Munson Highway and State Road 189 in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Evers, a Republican, served nine years in the Florida House before his election to the Senate in 2010. Evers left his Senate seat in 2016 to make a bid for the U.S. House but lost the Republican primary to U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Two Injured In Highway 29 Wreck
March 11, 2018
Two people were injured in two-vehicle wreck near Cantonment early Sunday morning.
One of the injured was extricated by firefighters after being trapped in their vehicle in the 6:36 a.m. crash on Highway 29 near West Roberts Road . Both were transported to area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
Further details on the crash have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Early Morning Fire Destroys Flomaton Home
March 11, 2018
Fire destroyed a home in Flomaton just north of the state line early Sunday morning.
The fire was reported about 12:45 a.m. in the 400 block of Dixon Road. The first firefighters on scene reported that the residence was fully involved, according to Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton. It took about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. The home was a total loss.
There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire was not immediately available.
The Flomaton, Friendship and Lambeth fire departments, and the Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze, along with Escambia County (FL) EMS.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Daylight Savings Time Is Back, Could It Be Year Round?
March 11, 2018
We all lost an hour of sleep Sunday morning that we may never get back.
Clocks moved forward with the beginning of daylight savings time for what could be the very last time for Floridians. That’s because the Florida Legislature has approved a bill to keep Florida on daylight-saving time throughout the year.
But there are couple of hurdles to be cleared first.
The next stop for the bill is the desk of Gov. Rick Scott, whose office said he will review the proposal after formally receiving it. If Scott signs the bill, Congress would ultimately be responsible for approving the proposed change.
If approved, Northwest Florida would be one hour ahead of neighboring Alabama during part of the year, including winter. For example, on Christmas Day if it were 10 a.m. in North Escambia, it would be 9 a.m. in Atmore.
The idea of year-round daylight-saving time has been promoted as a way to help the state’s tourism industry, as people would be able to stay out later with the additional sunlight.
Hawaii and most of Arizona currently don’t participate in switching from standard time to daylight-saving time and back. They stay on standard time throughout the year.
Play Ball! Opening Day For Molino Ballpark (With Photo Gallery)
March 11, 2018
Saturday was Opening Day for Molino Recreation Association and the Molino Ballpark.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Bailey Seibert, click to enlarge.
Grand Opening Celebration Held At Atmore Airport (With Gallery)
March 11, 2018
A grand opening celebration was held Saturday at the Atmore Municipal Airport.
Aviation Specialists has taken over as the new fixed base operator — the company that operates the City of Atmore owned airport. The company also operates the Brewton Airport.
The Atmore Airport’s north-south runway is about 4,000 feet north of the Alabama/Florida state line.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dispose of Tires At Escambia County Tire Amnesty Day
March 11, 2018
Escambia County residents will have an opportunity to dispose of up to eight tires per person free of charge at the Escambia County Tire Amnesty Day event on Saturday, March 24 from 8 a.m. to noon.
The event will take place in the parking lot of the Escambia County Public Safety Building, 6575 N. W St.
Proof of Escambia County residency is required to participate, such as a driver’s license, power bill or voter registration card. The event is for residents only; no businesses, please. Residents will be allowed to dispose of up to eight tires, on or off the rim, per resident. Only car tires and light truck tires will be accepted.
This event is for waste tires only. Household hazardous waste and electronics will not be accepted.
Tire Amnesty Day is sponsored by the Escambia County Waste Services Department in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, through DEP’s Waste Tire Amnesty Grant Program. The event aims to help reduce mosquito-borne illness through non-chemical means, by disposing of old tires that may be used as mosquito breeding sites. Mosquito species that can transmit harmful infections such as West Nile virus breed in artificial container breeding sites, with old tires being a favorite location. Waste tires in large quantities can also pose a fire hazard.