Proposal Would Lead To More Kids On School Buses Instead Of Walking
February 13, 2018
Despite concerns from school districts and lawmakers about the projected costs, a Senate committee Monday approved a bill that would lead to more students being able to take school buses.
The bill filed by Sen. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, would require that buses be available for students who live more than 1.5 miles from school — down from the current standard of two miles. It also would make other changes, such as ensuring that buses would be available to all students who encounter “hazardous walking conditions” going back and forth to school.
The Senate Education Committee voted 8-1 to approve the bill, which Steube said was aimed at helping keep children safe. But some lawmakers said they had heard from school districts worried about the potential costs of such an expansion of busing.
A staff analysis said the changes would lead to the transportation of an estimated 61,765 additional students, at a cost of nearly $58.5 million. Also, it said an estimated 908 additional buses would be needed, at a cost of more than $97.1 million.
by The News Service of Florida
Flomaton Police Chief Honored By Governor, State Rep. For Saving Suicidal Man
February 13, 2018
Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis was recognized Monday night for his efforts to save a suicidal man last year.
Alabama Rep. Alan Baker presented Davis with a commendation and a certificate of recognition along with a commendation from Gov.Kay Ivey for the September 2017 incident in which Davis and other first responders talked a distraught man down from a 100-foot tall water tower. The man threatened to take his own life over a period of about 3.5 hours before coming down and talking with Davis.
“Chief Davis skillfully averted an attempted suicide and the State of Alabama is proud to recognize his decisive leadership and quick assertive actions that went beyond the call ofduty.
“I alone I cannot take full credit for this incident, for my department was there to assist me,” Davis said.
Baker presented the certificates to Davis during a meeting of the Flomaton Town Council Monday night.
Pictured; Rep. Alan Baker recognized Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis Monday night before the Flomaton Town Council. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured inset and below: The regcognition came as a result of efforts by Davis to save a man threatening to jump from a water tower last November. NorthEscambia.com filte photos, click to enlarge.
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Florida Forest Service Tree Giveaway Planned For Thursday Morning
February 13, 2018
A tree giveaway will be held Thursday morning in Century.
Beginning at 10 a.m., the Florida Forest Service will give away one gallon potted shumard oak, river birch and fringe trees while supplies last.
The event will be held at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4 at Industrial Boulevard.
Pictured: A Florida Forest Service Arbor Day tree giveaway last month at the Barrineau Park Community Center. Jared Sigler photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Tops Northview In District 3-1A Basketball Tournament Opener
February 13, 2018
The fifth seed Jay Royals defeated the fourth seed Northview Chiefs 54-43 Monday night in round one of the District 3-1A basketball tournament in Baker.
Jay will advance to take on top-ranked Chipley Tuesday at 5:30, and Baker will play Freeport Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: Missing, Endangered Cantonment Teen Found Safe
February 12, 2018
Update: A missing and endangered runaway teen has been located safe, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said late Monday night. Further details were not provided.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing Cantonment teen that may be in the company of an adult male.
Faith Gabrielle Smith, 14, was last seen on February 10 with 26-year old William Scott Robinson of Cantonment at the AMC 18 Theater on North W Street, the ECSO said Monday morning. They may be traveling to Texas and may be in a white 2017 Nissan Altima with Florida tag number HVQT94.
Smith is classified as a missing and endangered habitual runaway. She has auburn hair and hazel eyes. She has a medical condition and may be in need of medication.
Anyone with information on the location of Faith Gabrielle Smith or William Scott Robinson is asked to call 911.
Photos courtesy Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
All Clear After Reports Of Person With Gun At Tate High School
February 12, 2018
Tate High School was placed on lockdown this morning after reports of suspicious person possibly with a gun on campus. That lockdown was lifted about one hour later with nothing found.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a person walking near the school that possibly had a gun. The report was unconfirmed and deputies searched the campus and the area around the school.
Deputies cleared buildings room by room, with nothing found.
No one was taken into custody, and there were no injuries.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Injured When Car Rear Ends School Bus In Front Of School
February 12, 2018
[UPDATED 2 p.m.] Two people were injured when a vehicle rear-ended a school bus Monday morning in front of Northview High School.
The school bus with 12 students aboard was stopped to turn from eastbound Highway 4 into the main entrance of Northview High School when it was rear-ended by a 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo occupied by three Northview students.
The driver of the Monte Carlo, 18-year old Jakeldria Brown of Atmore, was ticketed for careless driving by the Florida Highway Patrol. The FHP report stated Brown “failed to stop safely behind the school bus striking the rear of the school bus.”
There were no injuries on the bus; Brown and one other occupant from the Monte Carlo were transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with minor injuries.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Note that the vehicle was moved from the roadway prior to these photos.
Two Injured In Muscogee Road Crash
February 12, 2018
Two people were reported injured in a two-vehicle crash Monday morning on Muscogee Road near Taylor Street in Cantonment. The wreck is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Dining Sites Provide A Good Meal, And A Good Smile For Seniors
February 12, 2018
Century seniors leave the Council on Aging of West Florida’s dining site with more than a hot meal — they usually leave with a smile.
“The program provides them a hot meal that I serve,” said Deborah Williams, the Century site manager as she prepared plates of beef stew, rice and broccoli. “And I always give them a smile. People just need a smile sometimes.”
The senior dining site program is a neighborhood-based program offering nutritious meals, activities and socialization for seniors age 60 and older. Council on Aging operates nearly 20 dining sites in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties including sites in Cantonment, Century, Jay and Chumuckla.
The Century senior dining site on Industrial Boulevard current serves about 10 clients Williams said, but there’s room for about 40. Attendance has dwindled for the Century program, she said, due to a lack of adequate transportation in Century.
A donation of $2 or more per person is recommended, but it is not mandatory. Donations are returned to the senior dining site program to support the provision of meals and activities at the sites.
Along with the sites often offer fun and mentally-stimulating activities. Common activities include puzzles, word games, field trips, guest speakers and bingo.
“I take them on field trips sometimes,” Williams said. “We’ll go to the Golden Corral, go by the doctor’s office or go shopping. It just does them good to get out.”
“It keeps them smiling.”
Individuals interested in participating in the senior dining site program or getting loved ones involved, should call Council on Aging of West Florida at (850) 432-1475 or visit www.coawfla.org for more information.
Pictured top: Deborah Williams, manager of the Council on Aging of West Florida’s senior dining site in Century. Pictured inset and below: Seniors enjoy lunch at the senior dining site in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Installing 517 Street Lights In Cantonment, Other Neighborhoods
February 12, 2018
Several local neighborhoods are about to get a little brighter, thanks to Escambia County’s Safe Neighborhood Street Light Program installing an additional 517 lights across five Community Redevelopment Areas and Safe Neighborhoods.
The latest phase of the program is expected to be completed by mid-February, bringing more LED street lights to the Avondale, Cantonment, Creekside Oaks, Lincoln Park and Wedgewood/Rolling Hills neighborhoods.
Escambia County Safe Neighborhood Coordinator Nick Jordan said the lighting projects align with the Safe Neighborhood Program’s goal of keeping local neighborhoods clean and safe. The lighting projects focus on strategically placing street lights in neighborhoods where the need was present, Jordan said.
“Street lights can deter crime and improve pedestrian and traffic safety,” Jordan said. “It makes the neighborhood more unified. When you cross into one of these areas, you’re going to be able to see a difference – it increases awareness and visibility in the neighborhood.”
Jordan said the streetlight projects are part of the board of county commissioners’ focus on improving neighborhood safety by making dark areas brighter. The county’s Safe Neighborhood Program works with residents to take control of their neighborhoods and reduce crime and blight in designated areas, also giving citizens an opportunity provide input on improvements they feel their neighborhood needs.
“These neighborhoods were identified based on the needs of the community,” Jordan said. “We work a lot with neighborhood groups, and they gave their input on what their needs were. We evaluated how we could address those, and street lights were one of the big topics everybody brought up.”
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.