New Traffic Signal Now Active From I-10 To Highway 29
March 12, 2018
I-10 westbound drivers destined for Highway 29 north toward Cantonment and Highway south to Pensacola are now using the new “Exit 10″. A new traffic signal on Highway 29, located at the bottom of the ramp, was activated early Monday morning. The light will manage traffic exiting I-10 to Highway 29 south as well as Highway north and southbound traffic. The old I-10 “Exit 10A,” will be permanently closed. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Shooting At His Cottage Hill Neighbor
March 12, 2018
An Escambia County man was arrested Sunday after allegedly shooting at his neighbor.
Jason Bradley Waggoner, 36, was booked into the Escambia County Jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill. He was arrested following the 11:30 a.m. incident on Highway 95A near Stacey Road. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
During a dispute with his neighbor, Waggoner allegedly fired a handgun at the neighbor but missed, according to Major Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FDOT Suspends Construction Along Spring Break Routes
March 12, 2018
To facilitate traffic for the thousands of travelers who converge on the state of Florida for spring break, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Three office is suspending highway construction projects on major roadways along spring break routes across Northwest Florida. There will be no work on state roads requiring lane closures through Sunday, March 25. All major roads will be open to normal traffic.
Although no construction closures are scheduled over spring break, existing work zones will remain in effect. Motorists are reminded to use caution as construction workers, reduced speed limits, equipment and temporary traffic configurations may remain in place.
FDOT is encouraging drivers to allow extra travel time and to use extra caution in existing work zones along state highways. Drivers are urged to make sure they buckle up, along with their passengers. FDOT and other safety agencies also ask drivers to obey speed limits, get adequate rest before traveling, avoid distractions and never drink and drive.
Drivers also are urged to be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to accidents, disabled vehicles or other events. Motorists should be alert to changing weather conditions while traveling.
Travelers can access Florida’s 511 service from cell phones, landlines, and online at www.FL511.com to receive updates on travel in the area. For more information, follow the Florida Department of Transportation District Three on Twitter @myfdot_nwfl or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MyFDOTNWFL.
Wreck Near Flomaton Claims Life Of Brewton Woman
March 12, 2018
A single vehicle wreck just northeast of Flomaton claimed the life of a Brewton woman.
Alabama State Troopers said 47-year-old Sylvia Ann Gacek was the passenger in a 2002 Ford Explorer that left the roadway and overturned about 7 p.m. near the intersection of Oil Well Road and Wolf Log Road. She was pronounced dead on scene.
The driver of the vehicle, 52-year old Sharon Ann Strength of Flomaton, was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. A second victim who has not been named by state troopers was also airlifted to Sacred Heart in a second medical helicopter.
The victims were trapped in the vehicle before being extricated by firefighters.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.
The Flomaton and Friendship fire departments, the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia (FL) EMS, Brewton EMS, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and Flomaton Police Department also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
March 12, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of March 12-16:
Monday, March 12
Marine Advisory Committee – 4:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Tuesday, March 13
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Board of County Commissioners/School Board Joint Meeting – 5 p.m., 30 E. Texar Drive, Pensacola. To watch the meeting live, click here.
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority – 5 p.m., 700 S. Palafox Place
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., 420 W. Chase St.
Wednesday, March 14
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Santa Rosa Island Authority Board – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach (Agenda)
Thursday, March 15
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place (Agenda)
BCC Agenda Review Session – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Public Fourm – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
High Five Fridays: Correctional Institution Officers, Elementary Kids Trade Encouragement
March 12, 2018
Corrections officers from Century Correctional Institution and students from Jay Elementary School traded lots of high fives Friday.
The Jay Elementary School PTO started High Five Friday to connect students with uniformed officials and rescue heroes from the community. It’s an effort to keep kids enthusiastic and energized about learning.
The uniformed officials stop by on Friday mornings and give the students high fives and words of encouragement.
Pictured: Students from Jay Elementary School and corrections officers from Century Correctional Institution trade high fives during last week’s High Five Friday. Courtesy photos for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
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.