New Law Allows School Bells To Ring Next Week
August 2, 2016
Tens of thousands of Florida school children will return to their classrooms next week as districts take advantage of a state law that allows schools to start as early as Aug. 10.
Forty of the 67 public school districts are opening next Wednesday under a 2015 law that decoupled the school start from Labor Day, according to the state Department of Education. A prior law required districts to open schools no earlier than two weeks before Labor Day.
Escambia County schools will open on August 10, while students will return August 15 in Santa Rosa County.
Last year, less than a dozen districts used the Aug. 10 start, but this year a majority of the districts have opted to start in the second week of August, which also means those districts will end their 2016-17 school year well before Memorial Day.
The state’s two largest districts, Miami-Dade and Broward counties, which have more than 600,000 students, will be among the last to open on Aug. 22.
This is the earliest opening date for a majority of the districts since the 2006-07 school year, when most opened in the first week of August, with Seminole County starting on July 31.
The early opening dates resulted in a backlash from parents and tourism groups, prompting the Legislature to tie the start of school to Labor Day.
But Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat who sponsored the 2015 law, said the primary reason for the legislation was to allow the 67 school districts to decide for themselves on the opening date.
“I believe those decisions need to be made at the local level by local elected school boards and the superintendents who get direct input from the parents,” said Montford, who is head of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.
Montford, a former Leon County superintendent, said districts get plenty of input on the annual school calendar from parents, students and others who sit on school and district advisory councils.
Although he has heard questions about why schools do not start closer to Labor Day, Montford said a variety of factors make the earlier starting times more logical, including having high-school students take their first semester exams before the winter holiday break.
“You don’t want to come back after two weeks off after the winter break and then take semester exams,” Montford said. “It’s not good for the students, and it’s not good for the teachers.”
Another factor is the number of vacation days built into the annual school calendar, including winter and spring breaks as well as time off for Thanksgiving.
“If we take all these days off during the year you still have to put in 180 days,” Montford said. “You either have to start earlier or go later.”
Montford said many districts prefer an earlier starting date to give teachers and students more time to prepare for the annual state assessment tests in the spring, which are linked to student progress and school grades.
“Some districts tried to get in as many days as they could before the state assessments,” Montford said, noting the annual tests come early in the spring and not at the end of the school year.
Opposition to early school starts has come from some parents who complain that an early August start puts Florida out of sync with other states and complicates summer vacation plans. Groups tied to Florida’s tourism industry have opposed early starts, noting the law linking the start to Labor Day boosted their industry.
“This is the time of year that many families take an in-state vacation before the school year starts. We hope that all Floridians have an opportunity to enjoy everything our great state offers over the summer, especially in areas that are economically dependent upon a traditional summer season,” said Carol Dover, president of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.
“They make a very good argument for the tourist industry,” Montford said. “But school superintendents and school board members and parents and others make a doggone good argument that what’s really important is the child’s learning.”
Montford said the current law gives districts the ability to set school opening dates closer to Labor Day or even after the holiday.
“Those decisions should be made at the local level,” he said.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Five People Injured In Cantonment Hwy 29 Crash
August 1, 2016
Five people, including two children, were injured in two-vehicle crash Sunday evening in Cantonment.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 21-year old Troy Jackson of Cantonment was stopped in his 1995 Chevrolet Silverado facing east on Neal Road when he pulled into the direct path of a 2007 Ford F150 driven by 26-year old Raven Kendrick of Molino. The force of the collision cause the Silverado to overturn.
Jackson and his passenger, 19-year old Brianna Chavis of Cantonment, received minor injuries and were both transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. Kendrick and his passengers, 8-year old Bailey Herrington and 5-year old Tessa Kendrick of Molino, all received minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital.
Jackson was cited for violation of right of way at stop intersection by the FHP.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Operation Blue Spaghetti: Firefighters Show Support For Law Enforcement
August 1, 2016
The crew of Escambia Fire Rescue Engine 4 in Cantonment joined other fire stations in Escambia County for “Operation Blue Spaghetti” on Sunday.
Firefighters cooked spaghetti and invited and invited on-duty law enforcement to stop by a fire station have join them for lunch.
“This is our way of saying thank you, we support you, and we’ve got your back,” firefighter Tim Najim said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Bratt Church Honors Law Enforcement Officers With Special Service
August 1, 2016
Shiloh Freewill Baptist Church in Bratt held a special service Sunday morning to show their appreciation for law enforcement officers and their families and to recognize other first responders.
Among those recognized were Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies David Bashore and James Gilman, and Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department members Diann Stewart and David Johnson.
“We appreciate all that our law enforcement does and the sacrifices they make,” said Shiloh Pastor Kevin Stott. “May God bless all…LEO’s and their families.”
The deputies were also present with New Testaments by Gideon member James Deloney of Molino.
Florida Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Set
August 1, 2016
Florida families will save on clothing, footwear, and school supplies during the three-day Back-to-School Sales Tax holiday this upcoming weekend.
During those three days, August 5-7, Florida law directs that no sales tax or local option tax will be collected on purchases of:
- Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item
- Certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item
The holiday does not apply to:
- Any item of clothing selling for more than $60
- Any school supply item selling for more than $15
- Books not otherwise exempt
- Personal computers and computer-related accessories
- Rentals or leases of any of these items
- Repairs or alterations of any of these items
- Sales of clothing or school supplies in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport
Mississippi Beats The Pensacola Blue Wahoos 8-3
August 1, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos win 63.4 percent of the time at Blue Wahoos Stadium but the Mississippi Braves hit three home runs to take the opener of the five-game series, 8-3, Sunday.
Mississippi center fielder Connor Lien smacked two homers and drove in four runs, while the Braves No. 1 prospect Dansby Swanson hit a two-run blast in front of 4,502 Pensacola fans.
Pensacola had tied the game, 3-3, in the bottom of the sixth inning when third baseman Taylor Sparks crushed a solo shot to deep left center field, which was his sixth homer of the season.
But both of Lien’s homers came at critical times for Mississippi. His first one was a solo shot in the first inning and his second was a three-run blast in the seventh inning that put the Braves up, 6-3. He finished the game 2-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored.
Lien injured his thumb in Mississippi’s first game and returned June 23. Pensacola last saw Lien in the opener when he had a strike out and a walk before going on the disabled list. Lien now has four home runs in the last eight games and 10 RBIs on the season.
“We saw him in one at bat for Mississippi,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly. “He’s obviously a big strong guy and he hit two balls pretty good.”
Pensacola starter Tyler Mahle rebounded from his first bad showing in Double-A when he gave up seven earned runs in 4.2 innings against the Montgomery Biscuits.
Against Mississippi Sunday, Mahle threw six innings giving up three runs, one earned on six hits and a walk, while striking out six. Mahle, who led the High-A Florida State League in strikeouts, has 38 strikeouts in 44.1 innings with Pensacola. He left the game, when it was tied, 3-3.
Kelly said he has been impressed with the 21-year-old Mahle, who threw a no-hitter for High-A Daytona before getting called up to the Blue Wahoos.
“I don’t think you can be perfect every time out,” Kelly said. “He gave us six good innings and kept us in the game. He’s shown maturity all the way through.”
The game was a seesaw battle until the seventh inning. Mississippi right fielder Joey Meneses laced a line drive deep into the left center gap for a stand-up double that drove in both Lien and Swanson to put the Braves ahead, 3-2.
Pensacola had gone ahead in the fifth inning, 2-1, when Eric Jagielo scored on a deep sacrifice fly to center field by center fielder Beau Amaral.
The Blue Wahoos tied the game, 1-1, in the third inning when second baseman Alex Blandino hit a grounder past a diving Swanson to drive in Pensacola catcher Chad Wallach. Blandino is hitting .343 in his last 10 games and has driven in six runs.
All month, Zach Vincej was hot at the plate, going 34-92 for a .370 average and driving in 11 runs, making July his best month, so far, this season. He went 3-3 Sunday with a double and walk and is hitting .289 on the year.
Party Held For Cantonment Teen Missing For 15 Years
July 31, 2016
Danielle Bell of Cantonment and her family would have celebrated her 29th birthday last Thursday. Instead, family members joined friends and the community in a birthday party Saturday evening to mark the upcoming 15th anniversary of her disappearance.
The KlaasKIDS Foundation and Danielle’s family reaffirmed their commitment to continue the search for the missing teen during the part at the Harvester Homes Community Park on Belmont Avenue in Cantonment. A birthday cake with the words “Your life is not forgotten” was served.
“The disappearance of a 14-year old girl from our community that has continued to go unsolved for 15 years should be a clear call for action and answers from every parent in our area,” said Brad Dennis, director of Search Operations for Klaaskids.
A new Facebook page has been launched by the KlaasKIDS Foundation which will serve to post information about Danielle Bell and her case leading to the 15th anniversary of her disappearance. Click here for that page.
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After leaving the Harvesters Home Park on September 28, 2001, Danielle was last seen at a party in the 500 block of Cedar Tree Lane, between Highway 29 and Highway 95A in Cantonment.
Witnesses told authorities that Bell left a party with a man that was in his mid-twenties at the time. Escambia County deputies later questioned that man and searched his home, but he was never charged in connection with the case.
During the summer of 2007, Alfredo Gomez Sanchez, Jr. was charged with providing law enforcement with false information about his whereabouts at the time Bell disappeared. He was not implicated in her disappearance.
In October 2010, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit served a search warrant at the home.
As part of that search warrant, a septic tank behind the residence was pumped out, and dogs from Escambia County Search and Rescue were also used to search the area. Investigators said nothing was found, and they would not say what new information might have led to the search.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Danielle has a scar on her right forearm and blue eyes. She had brown hair at the time of her disappearance. Danielle, whose nickname was “Dani”, was a member of the Tate Aggies cheerleading squad. The popular teen enjoyed dancing and drawing.
Anyone with information about Bell is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top photos: A birthday party for missing teen Danielle Bell Saturday evening in Cantonment. Courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured bottom inset: Investigators pumped and searched a septic tank at this home on Cedar Tree Lane in Cantonment in October 2010 in the case of missing teen Danielle Arion Bell. Pictured below: A search and rescue K-9 team was also on site. Pictured bottom: A septic tank company employee prepares to pump a septic tank at the home. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
July 31, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Nine Mile Road – Lane restrictions east of Guidy Lane as crews construct a new eastbound, right and westbound, left turn lane for the shopping center through Thursday, Aug. 4. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- I-10/U.S. 29 Interchange – The U.S. 29 north to I-10 westbound ramp will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3 and Thursday, Aug. 4 as crews perform bridge work. Traffic will be detoured north to make a U-turn at Broad Street to access I-10 westbound. In addition, the right lane of I-10 westbound near U.S. 29 will be closed during this time as crews perform maintenance activities.
- Airport Road Resurfacing- Intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform paving operations between U.S. 29 and County Road 95A (North Palafox Street).
- Perry Avenue - Lane restriction at the intersection of E. Gonzales Street from 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4 to 6 a.m., Friday, Aug. 5 as crews perform underground utility work.
- Texar Drive Pedestrian Overpass– Access to the pedestrian bridge is closed for approximately one month. Eastbound ECAT bus stops located at the pedestrian bridge will be temporarily relocated during construction to just west of N Miller Street.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening – Alternating lane closures, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), Thursday, Aug. 4 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews continue widening work. In addition, there will be alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange for bridge work.
- S.R. 87 and S.R. 89 from S.R. 4 to the Alabama line – Intermittent and alternating lane closures and slow moving operations from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. continuing as crews perform striping operations.
- U.S. 98 – Crews will perform striping operations and install raised pavement markers (RPMs) from the Pensacola Bay Bridge to Central Parkway (approximately nine miles) from 8 p.m. Sunday, July 31 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug.1. Motorists may encounter minor traffic delays.
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 in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
One Winning $487 Million Powerball Ticket Sold In New Hampshire
July 31, 2016
One winning ticket was sold in New Hampshire for Saturday night’s $487 million Powerball drawing, the fifth largest in the game’s history.
The winning numbers drawn Saturday night were 11, 17, 21, 23, and 32. The Powerball was 5.
Prior to Saturday night, there had not been a Powerball winner since May 7 when a New Jersey family won a $429.6 drawing.
The current estimated jackpot for the next Powerball drawing Wednesday night is $40 million, or a lump sum cash payment of $28.1 million.
Powerball tickets are sold in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Deputies, FHP Seize $113,000 Worth Of Pot In Traffic Stop
July 31, 2016
The Florida Highway Patrol and deputies from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office teamed up in a big marijuana bust last week.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said their Traffic Unit and the FHP worked together on a traffic stop on I-10 that recovered 113 pounds marijuana with a street value of $113,000 plus several guns.
Additional details, including the names of suspects that were arrested, have not yet been released.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
