Molino Park Elementary School Students Learn Fire Safety
October 13, 2017
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue visited Molino Park Elementary School for National Fire Prevention Week. Students learned about fire safety, smoke detectors, safe meeting locations and “stop, drop and roll”. They also learned what to do and what might happen if they are in a car accident and saw an extrication demonstration. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Costs Taking Toll On State Budget
October 13, 2017
Hurricane recovery efforts have already cost the state budget more than $141 million and are likely to increase, the Senate Appropriations Committee was told Thursday.
“The news isn’t good,” Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, said. “And I don’t think it’s fake news either.”
The extra spending has been authorized by Gov. Rick Scott in a series of budget amendments, using his emergency powers invoked because of Hurricane Irma last month.
A new tally of the amendments on Thursday included: $25 million for the Florida National Guard; $12 million for food, ice, water and transportation; $36 million for debris removal; $6 million for mosquito control; and $27.6 million related to the operation of the state Division of Emergency Management.
Additionally, Scott has authorized a $25 million interest-free loan program for citrus farmers, whose crops were devastated by the storm, and another $10 million “bridge” loan program.
Citing Florida’s experience during the record hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005, Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, said other major costs loom, including a state match for federal emergency funding, affordable-housing funding and beach-restoration costs.
In the aftermaths of the 2004 and 2005 storms, Florida had to come up with more than $400 million each year to match funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Baker said the prior match was 25 percent from the state, with 75 percent from the federal government, although it could be modified this year by the federal government.
The state spent some $358 million in affordable-housing projects over the last two major hurricane seasons. And Baker said lawmakers should “pencil in” a potential $80 million beach-restoration effort based on preliminary estimates.
For context, the 2004 storms cost the state $791 million and the 2005 storms cost $626 million, according to Baker’s report.
The storm costs also come as the hurricane season has disrupted the state’s economy. Baker said in the short term the storms are expected to reduce state revenue, including sales taxes. In the longer term, state revenue may increase as insurance payments are spent and storm-recovery construction occurs.
But Baker and other state analysts who studied the prior hurricane seasons expect the net financial impact of the 2017 season to be negative. In the 2005 season, the state spent $626 million, while reaping only $422 million in increased revenue.
“What you have at this moment in time is just a snapshot,” Baker told the senators. “There will a lot more positive and negative happening over the next few months.”
After the meeting, Latvala told reporters the outlook for the next budget year, which begins July 1, is “pretty dim.”
“We don’t really have any extra money,” he said.
Latvala and other senators also raised concerns about Scott using his emergency authority to spend money without legislative involvement.
The state has a formal process where the Joint Legislative Budget Commission can amend the budget when the Legislature is not in session.
“I’m hopeful that we will be able to get back into a regular (budget) process,” Latvala said.
The Senate committee also heard about the extensive storm damage in the Florida Keys from Rep. Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo, and Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami.
“The Keys are slowly coming back and are open again,” Flores said. “They are going to need our help, not just in the short term but certainly in the long term.”
Raschein talked about “mountains” of storm debris, a Marathon hospital that will have to be rebuilt and a county emergency operations center that had to be abandoned during the storm.
Latvala said helping the Keys with issues like workforce housing and rebuilding projects will be one of his priorities.
“In the past hurricanes, we have had legislation that has gone into direct capital efforts like that to restore communities and I am hopeful we will be able to do that this time as well,” he said.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Local Schools Awarded Share Of $100,000 In Foundation Grants
October 12, 2017
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation (ECPS) presented close to $100,000 in 2017-2018 Grants for Excellence to teams from 21 Escambia County School District schools at a reception Wednesday at the J.E. Hall Center.
The ECPS Foundation board is implementing a new hallmark for its Grants for Excellence (GFE) initiative, “All aBoard!” In addition to receiving their checks Wednesday night, representatives from the winning teams also met their new foundation “All aBoard” liaison.
“Every school that receives a GFE grant this year will be matched with an individual liaison from the foundation’s board of directors,” said Kristie Kelley, ECPS Foundation board chair. “These liaisons will be the bridge between classroom grants winners and funding sources and partners, thereby making the term ‘grants in action’ a fresh and fun reality.”
The mission of the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation is to enhance education in Escambia County by investing in children’s futures to ensure they graduate on-time and are college, or career, ready. The Foundation receives dollar-for-dollar matching funds for their Grants for Excellence program from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations through the Legislature’s Local Education Foundation Matching Grant Program. In this way, they are able to leverage the dollars they raise for maximum benefit to students and teachers in Escambia County.
The grant winners are:
- Jim C. Bailey Middle, Grades 6-8, “Launch the Bus Challenge Breakout EDU” (STEM and Literacy)
- Bellview Elementary, Grades K-5, “IMPACT-Integrated Media Program that Accesses Creative Technology” (STEM and Literacy)
- Brown-Barge Middle, Grades 6-8, “Manned Flight” (STEM and Literacy)
- Ensley Elementary, Grades 3 and 5, “What’s New in the World?” (Literacy)
- Escambia High, Grades 9-12, “STEAMY Gumbo: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Learning” (STEAM)
- Roy Hyatt Environmental Center, Grades 2 and 5, “Cache your STEM Cares Away!: A Geocaching STEM Adventure” (STEM)
- Lincoln Park Elementary, Grades 1- 4, “Crazy for Coding!” (STEM and Literacy)
- Montclair Elementary, Grades PreK-5, “It’s ELECTRIC! EBooks For Everyone!” (Literacy)
- Navy Point Elementary, Grades PreK-5, “Academic Growth STEMming from Collaborative Creativity” (STEM and Literacy)
- Northview High, Grades 9-12, “Bridges, the Sun and the Wind: We build, we analyze, we harness.” (STEM)
- Oakcrest Elementary, Grades 3 – 5, Drums and Drama” (Literacy)
- Pensacola High, Grades 10-12, “Physics is Phun!” (STEM)
- Ransom Middle, Grades 6-8, “Whole Brain Food” (STEM and Literacy)
- Scenic Heights Elementary, 1st Grade, “Imagination Stations” (STEM)
- A.K. Suter Elementary, Grades K-5, “Level Up With Reading: Empowering Students for Literacy Success” (Literacy)
- J. M. Tate High, Grades 9-12, “21st Century Labs for Millennials” (STEM)
- Ernest Ward Middle, Grades 6-8, “STEM in the GYM EWMS Survivors’ Series” (STEM)
- Booker T. Washington High, Grades 9-12, “Building a Legacy: the DNA Revolution” (STEAM)
- C.A. Weis Elementary, Grades K-5, “Stories Work for Us!” (Literacy)
- West Florida High, Grades 9-12, “Coins for Koi” (STEM)
- J.H. Workman Middle, Grades 6-8, “Globalization through Scientific and Technical Innovation with an emphasis on Sustainability” (STEM and Literacy)
Pictured top: Escambia County Public Schools Foundation board chair Kristie Kelley, Northview teachers Rachel Pleasant and Jim Shugart, Northview Assistant Principal Gerry Pippins and School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Pictured below: ECPS board chair Kristie Kelley, Roy Hyatt Environmental lead teacher Molly O’Conner, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, ECPS Foundation liason Thomas Greek. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Appeals Court Upholds $35 Million Escambia County Tobacco Verdict
October 12, 2017
Though it raised concerns about a jury instruction, a state appeals court Wednesday upheld a nearly $35 million Escambia County verdict against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in the death of a longtime smoker.
A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal sided with Colette O’Hara, who filed the lawsuit in Escambia County after the death of her husband, Garry O’Hara. A jury awarded $14.7 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages.
R.J. Reynolds appealed on a series of grounds, but Wednesday’s ruling focused heavily on the propriety of a jury instruction sought by Colette O’Hara’s attorneys. The instruction involved an issue about whether Garry O’Hara relied on tobacco-company advertisements.
The appeals court found problems with the instruction but concluded it couldn’t determine whether the instruction affected the jury’s decision.
“We do not disagree that the instruction may have unduly swayed some jurors in favor of O’Hara,” said the nine-page ruling, written by appeals-court Judge Scott Makar and joined by judges Clay Roberts and Harvey Jay. “But we cannot determine from the record whether this effect on the jury was the cause of prejudice to RJR.”
by The News Service of Florida
Bratt Elementary Kids Learn Sun Safety From UWF Nursing Students
October 12, 2017
Students at Bratt Elementary School recently learned about sun healthy behaviors.
Bratt was one of four schools in Escambia County selected to be part of the University of West Florida Usha Kundu, MD College of Health’s Ago Shield initiative.
Argo Shield’s goad is to provide proactive sun safety education on proper skin protection from the sun and increase awareness among K-8 children on how to Shield the Skin You’re In.
Fifty nursing school students and faculty from UWF taught sun safety and healthy behaviors to students in grades K-5. Each child took home an Argo Shield tote bag that included a sunscreen sample and an education magnet for home.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Names Homecoming Court; Plans Parade And Friday Meal
October 12, 2017
Northview High School has named their homecoming court, and there are several big events planned for homecoming.
Homecoming court members are: freshmen Franki Daw, Hailey Harigel, Summer Waters; sophomores Payton Jackson, Teriana Redmond, Chloe Smith; juniors Hanna Ellis, Valen Shelly, Madison Sherouse; and seniors Bailee Hinote, Anna Nelson, Celeste North, Natasha Walker and Destiny Watson.
The parade will line up on the campus of Bratt Elementary School beginning at 12:30 p.m. Friday. The parade will begin at Bratt Elementary at 1 p.m. and end with a pep rally in the Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium at Northview High. (The general public should not enter the Bratt Elementary campus.)
A homecoming meal will available Friday from 10 a.m. until from the football concession stand to support the Tommy Weaver Scholarship Fund. The $7 meal will include a BBQ pulled pork sandwich, chips, cookies and drink. To reserve lunch, call (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 or tickets are available in the Northview front office. Checks should be made payable to the NHS FFA Alumni.
Pre-game festivities will begin at 6:00 Friday night, including the presentation of the homecoming court and the naming of the queen.
The homecoming game against Catholic High School will kickoff at 7:00.
Pictured above: Peighton Jackson, Celeste North, Bailee Hinote, Summer Waters, Franki Daw and Cloe Smith, (back, L-R) Natasha Walker, Teriana Redmond, Anna Nelson, Destiny Watson, Hailey Harigel, Madison Sherouse and Hannah Ellis. Not pictured: Valen Shelly, who was representing NHS at a public event at photo time. Pictured below: Seniors Natasha Walker, Bailee Hinote, Destiny Walker, Anna Nelson and Celeste North. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Employee Arrested For Child Sexual Battery
October 12, 2017
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee has been arrested for the sexual abuse of an underage victim.
Jonathan Matthew Waugh, 56, was charged with sexual battery of a victim over 12 and under 18 years old.
Waugh worked in the IT department at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The agency said he has been terminated.
Truck Overturns, 1,576 Lose Power, Driver Ticketed
October 12, 2017
A truck hauling plastic pellets overturned Wednesday afternoon on Old Chemstrand Road, resulting in a temporary road closure and over 1,500 Gulf Power customers without power.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 58-year old Joseph Henderson of Ponce De Leon, FL, was westbound on Old Chemstrand Road when he ran off the road and into the ditch. The 2013 Mack truck overturned, colliding with a power pole and then a large tree.
Gulf Power turning off a portion of the power grid serving as many as 1,576 customers in the Cantonment area, including Tate High School, as a safety precaution. Many of those customers were restored quickly, while a few hundred were without power until the pole was repaired.
Henderson received minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to West Florida Hospital. He was ticketed for careless driving by the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Using New Device To Fight Mosquitoes
October 12, 2017
Imagine enjoying your favorite sporting event or a day at the park without constantly swatting away pesky mosquitoes. The City of Pensacola and Escambia County are partnering with Gulf Power on a project that could make those outdoor events more pleasurable.
In perhaps one of its most buzz-worthy projects, Gulf Power is working with the makers of DynaTrap® to test an innovative mosquito control prototype in a pilot project with the city and county to help control the mosquito populations in those areas tested. The traps mount to outdoor dedicated lighting poles and other structures.
The mosquito control prototypes will be tested in several public locations around the community such as the Southwest Sports Complex, the Escambia County Equestrian Center, Maritime Park, Bayview Park and Roger Scott Sports Complex.
“Mosquitoes can cause itchy bites and even spread dangerous diseases, and this high-tech trap offers an alternative to chemical pesticides,” said Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson. “The goal of the new pilot project with the city and county is to develop an easy and effective mosquito-control measure.”
DynaTrap is a technology-driven indoor/outdoor insect trap that protects against mosquitoes. Unlike other bug prevention solutions, DynaTrap is chemical- and pesticide-free and environmentally friendly. The device uses UV light and carbon dioxide to attract mosquitos. In this innovative prototype, mosquitoes are drawn to the device and the mosquitos are vacuumed in and eliminated.
“Escambia County mosquito control uses larvicide to kill mosquitos before they fly and adulticide fog as needed.” said Day. “While still an effective program of controlling the mosquito population, there are times that mosquitos may be at a nuisance level until our staff can treat the area.”
This continuous treatment technology, Day said, is anticipated to maintain mosquito populations at very low levels in the public spaces where they are employed.
Bill Kimball, the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department superintendent said he sees many benefits to participating in the mosquito control pilot project.
“We believe that mosquito control is desirable to protect public health, the environment and as a way to improve the overall quality of life,” he said. “Our hope is, this will improve the overall user experience in these parks especially during early evening hours when mosquitoes are more prevalent.”
Waring Road To Close Friday
October 12, 2017
Waring Road between Nine Mile Road and Bush Street will experience road closures and detours beginning Friday, Oct. 13. Construction will consist of water and sanitary sewer system upgrades.
The closures/detours are expected to remain in effect for approximately one week. Every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road on or before Friday, Oct. 20.
If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time period, another notice will be issued.