Old Century High School To Be Demolished Due To Tornado Damage
April 4, 2016
The former Century High School and the football stadium on Hecker Road will be demolished due to tornado damage.
During the EF-3 tornado that struck Century on February 15, the main potion of the old high school was heavily damaged, with windows broken and window frames pushed inward. The football stadium, including the press box, was also structurally damaged.
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said the district’s self insurance would likely pay for the demolition; however, the school district is negotiating with their insurance company on the damage to the football stadium and press box.
While windows have been removed from the main school building, which was constructed in 1937, a timetable for the complete demolition has not been set.
Pictured: The former Century High School on Hecker Road. NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Chaparrals Headed To Nationals This Week
April 4, 2016
The Tate High School Chaparrals recently competed in the WGI Southeastern Winter Guard Championships in Orlando.
There were a total of 65 color guards competing; 32 in Tate’s class.
The Chaparrals finished 14th in their class. The group includes seven juniors and seven underclassmen, but continues to compete alongside units from all over the country. They will compete in the WGI World Championships in Dayton, OH, on Thursday.
Members of the Tate High School Chaparrals are:
Caroline Bruns
Katie Dupre
Elizabeth Durazo
Celina Dyess
Breanna Langley
Carly Lawrence
Megan Leonard
Kendall Lombardo
Katy Luebke – Captain
Kayla Overbey
Madison Philley
Brenn Repine
Kelsey Strength
Makayla Tainter
Savannah VonStein
For Orlando performance photos, courtesy of Salle Dupre , click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Earns National Yearbook Design Recognition
April 4, 2016
Northview High School’s yearbook, Tribal Spirit, has been recognized for excellence and featured in the 2016 Jostens Look Book, celebrating the best-of-the-best in yearbook design and coverage. The Jostens Look Book is a collection of spreads and photos from outstanding yearbooks and their creative themes, cool covers, dazzling designs, relevant coverage, storytelling copy and action-packed photography.
Along with design excellence, the annually published Look Book honors the important role well-crafted yearbooks play in helping schools chronicle the experiences, stories and achievements most relevant to students and that academic year.
The Tribal Spirit was created by Co-Editors Jessica McCullough and Kamryn Brock along with staff members Bethany Reynolds, Jessica Amerson, Jordan Taylor, Bradley Van Pelt, David Weber, Destiny Watson, Elisabeth Amerson, Celeste North, and Haylee Weaver under the direction of Alison Robinson, Northview High School yearbook
The NHS Tribal Spirit yearbook was one of only 494 yearbooks selected from approximately 3,000. The 2016 panel of judges, comprised of nationally recognized scholastic journalism professionals and award-winning yearbook advisers, selected the best examples of yearbook spreads and covers to make up the 320-page 2016 Look Book.
“Yearbooks are unique, limited edition books created by students to capture the stories and events for all of the school’s students and Jostens is proud to celebrate the yearbook tradition and the 494 yearbooks selected for the 2016 Jostens Look Book, said Gary Lundgren, editor. “Today’s yearbooks are very sophisticated in terms of visual presentation and the relevant and inclusive content that is featured.”
Robinson and her yearbook staff received a copy of the 2016 Jostens Look Book and certificate from Jostens to recognize their outstanding achievement.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Public Meeting Scheduled For I-110 Master Plan
April 4, 2016
The Florida Department of Transportation will host a public kick-off meeting concerning the I-110 Master Plan from U.S. 98 (East Chase Street) to I-10 in Escambia County. The meeting will be held Tuesday, April 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Pensacola Grand at 200 East Gregory Street.
The purpose of this meeting is to present project information, outline the master planning process and present the project schedule. Maps, drawings, and other information will be on display. There will be no formal presentation; however, FDOT representatives will be available to discuss proposed improvements, answer questions, and receive comments.
Scott Signs Gas Pump Skimmer Bill, Cough Medicine Age Limit
April 4, 2016
A proposal to crack down on people using electronic “skimmers” to steal credit-card or debit-card information at gas pumps was among 14 bills signed into law Friday by Gov. Rick Scott.
Another bill will prohibit the sale of a number of over-the-counter cough medicines to youths under age 18.
The skimmer measure (SB 912), backed by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and the Florida Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, will increase penalties for people holding counterfeit credit-card information starting Oct. 1.
“Increasing the penalties against individuals involved in the theft of fuel and requiring gasoline pumps to install advance security measures will assist in deterring this criminal activity that raises costs for all consumers,” Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, said in a prepared statement.
Ned Bowman, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, said the new law will protect “all of us from being victims of gas pump skimmer fraud.”
The proposal, sponsored in the House by Majority Leader Dana Young, R-Tampa, requires gas-station owners to use additional security measures on self-service pumps. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may also prohibit the use of fuel pumps until such security measures are installed.
Putnam’s office has noted that more than 190 skimmers have been found statewide since the beginning of 2015.
“Approximately 100 consumers are victimized by each skimmer, resulting in $1,000 stolen from each victim on average,” Putnam’s office said after the House approved the bill March 8. “Each skimmer represents an estimated $100,000 threat to consumers.”
Another new law Scott signed Friday puts an age restriction on products that include dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant sold without a prescription under brand names such as Robitussin, Coricidin, and Vicks.
The proposal (SB 938), sponsored by Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, and Rep. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, was proposed after reports of teenagers using cough medicine to get cheap highs. Side effects of such intoxication, according to a Senate staff analysis, include loss of coordination, slurred speech, sweating, hypertension and involuntary spasmodic movement of the eyeballs.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported six deaths in 2014 related to dextromethorphan use.
The law, which will go into effect July 1, 2017, won’t require stores to alter placement of the products but will prevent local governments from imposing their own restrictions.
Also signed into law Friday was a measure (SB 666), sponsored by Sen. John Legg, R-Trinity, that will allow people to use Florida concealed-weapon licenses or Veteran Health Identification Cards issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as valid identification when registering to vote or when voting at polling places.
Another measure signed by Scott (SB 1044) will place additional restrictions on the seizure of property in criminal cases. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg.
“The notion that police officers can take cash or other property from people never charged with any criminal wrongdoing and keeping any profits from the sale of seized property doesn’t sit well with the public,” said Bill Piper, senior director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance, which backed the bill. “Voters want action on civil asset forfeiture, and it was smart politics for Gov. Scott to sign off on this.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Scott Signs Off On Raises For Elections Supervisors
April 4, 2016
County supervisors of elections will see their salaries rise, under a bill signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Rick Scott.
Without comment, Scott’s office announced that he had signed the legislation (SB 514), which supporters say is aimed at bringing supervisors’ pay into line with other county constitutional officers — a group of elected officials that includes tax collectors, property appraisers and clerks of circuit court.
Supporters argue the lower pay rate was a legacy of an earlier era, when women held the overwhelming majority of supervisors’ offices. Most supervisors are still women.
Scott’s approval of the bill was not a surprise. After a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Scott indicated to reporters he would sign the legislation.
“I think they’ve done a good job,” the governor said in response to a question on the bill. “I think it’s the right thing to do.”
According to legislative analyses, the bill is expected to increase pay to supervisors by a total of $1.2 million, or an average of $18,540 per county. The average pay raise would be 18.7 percent.
The bill passed the Senate in a 36-4 vote early this month. But it ran into trouble in the House, where fiscal conservatives clashed with members of both parties who supported increasing the pay rate to bring equity to the system and to acknowledge the difficulty of the supervisors’ jobs.
The debate in the House split both parties before lawmakers voted 58-54 to approve the legislation. Most of the members of the House’s GOP majority — 46 — opposed the bill, as did eight Democrats.
“We need to make sure that this office is respected, just as we respect the office of sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser,” said Rep. Gayle Harrell, a Stuart Republican and supporter of the legislation.
But opponents said the bill would give some officials special treatment at a time when salary increases for state workers have been scant — though the money for the supervisors’ pay would come from county budgets.
There was no across-the-board pay increase for state workers in a new budget approved this month and signed into law by Scott, though some workers in select categories will receive a boost.
“This (the supervisors of elections bill) is nothing more than politicians feeding politicians by giving pay raises to other elected officials,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach. “And frankly, if we’re going to do pay raises, I say we do them across the board for all state workers and not pick out a select group of people.”
The bill takes effect Oct. 1.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Century Tornado Assistance Waiting List Now Open
April 4, 2016
An Escambia County and Century waiting list is now open for Town of Century residents requesting housing repair or reconstruction assistance as a result of the February 15 tornado.
Only residents in the incorporated town of Century whose housing units were damaged by the tornado are eligible to apply. Owner occupants of manufactured homes are also eligible to apply if they own the property on which the home is located.
Century residents may call (850) 595-0872 to be placed on the waiting list. Residents must provide the following information when calling:
- Name
- Street address of impacted residence
- Contact phone number
Services will be made available to income-eligible owner occupants on a first qualified, first served basis as funding permits. Staff will follow up with applicants within five business days to determine program eligibility and to make appointments to begin the application process.
The following chart shows the maximum gross family household income requirements in Escambia County (effective March 28, 2016) for the housing repair and reconstruction activities through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program, or SHIP. Household income includes income received from all persons residing in the household and from all sources providing income to the household.
Applications are still being accepted for owner occupants needing housing repair or reconstruction assistance from the February 15 and 23 tornadoes. Owner occupants in unincorporated Escambia County can call the Neighborhood Enterprise Division at (850) 595-0022, and those inside the city of Pensacola limits can call the City of Pensacola Housing Office at (850) 858-0306 to apply.
Tate Beats Pace
April 3, 2016
The Tate Aggies regained their district lead with a 4-2 win over Pace Saturday.
Cole Halfacre went a perfect 4-4 at the plate for the Tate Aggies with singles in the first, third, fifth and sixth innings. Michael Sherrill took the win on the mound, allowing just two runs for seven innings, walking one, giving up nine and striking out four.
Tate hitters – Cole Halfacre 4-4 RBI; Trace Penton 1-4 2B, RBI, BB; AJ Gordon 1-1 2B, RBI, 2 BB, SB.
WP – Michael Sherrill (7 IP, 2 ER, 9 H, 4 K, BB)
Power Restored After Substation Fire In Jay
April 3, 2016
UPDATE 5:45 p.m. — All power has been restored in the Jay area following the installation of a mobile power substation. The entire area lost power Sunday morning due to a substation fire.
UPDATE 3:00 p.m. – A mobile power substation has arrived in Jay. The mobile unit will be used to restore power to Jay and surrounding areas following a power substation fire this morning. The process, according to EREC, will take several hours.
Previous story below photo:
A fire at an Escambia River Electric Cooperative substation in Jay Sunday morning has left the area without power.
The fire was quickly contained, and crews are working to restore power as soon as possible to about 2,500 customers. The entire substation is without power.
A regulator and circuit breakers failed causing an arc which spread to other equipment causing the fire and power outage, according to EREC spokesperson Sabrina Owens.
A mobile substation is being brought in to restore power. It is anticipated that power will be restored by early evening.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Below: Another photo of the mobile substation:
Teen Driver Flips Vehicle On Bridge Across Perdido River
April 3, 2016
A teenage girl escaped serious injuries when she flipped her her SUV across part of two states Saturday morning.
The driver lost control while eastbound in Baldwin County, Alabama, and overturned onto the Barrineau Park Bridge across the Perdido River on Barrineau Park Road. The vehicle came to rest upside down on the bridge railing in Florida.
The driver was transported to a Pensacola hospital with minor injuries.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Escambia County EMS and the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
