Scott: Area’s Unemployment Drops
April 16, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday that the Pensacola area added 4,300 new private-sector jobs over the year in March. The area’s unemployment rate declined by 0.7 percentage point over the year to 4.6 percent in March.
Scott said, “I am proud to announce that the Pensacola area added more than 4,000 new jobs this year and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent. We want Florida to become first for jobs, which is why we worked to cut more than $1 billion in taxes in the past two years and why we will continue to do all we can to support job growth in Florida.”
The industry with the largest job gains in the Pensacola area over the year in March was leisure and hospitality with 1,000 new jobs. The Pensacola area had 4,866 job openings in March, including 1,219 openings for high-wage, high-skill, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations.
West Florida Lady Jags Win District Championship
April 16, 2016
The West Florida Lady Jaguars shut out Gulf Breeze 4-0 for the District 1-6A championship Friday night.
Sarah Nicholas pitched seven for the Lady Jags, allowing three hits and striking out five. Lauren Carnley was 2-4 with a single, a double, three RBIs and a run scored for West Florida, while Jibrashia Moore was 2-3 with a walk and two runs scores. Bri Morgan was 1-3 with a sacrifice bunt.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat Jacksonville
April 16, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos first baseman Ray Chang said when he stepped into the on-deck circle, he had a serious case of de ja vu.
Less than a year ago on June 10, the 32-year-old minor league veteran hit a walk-off single to defeat the Jacksonville Suns.
He did it again last night with a single to right field to score catcher Chad Wallach from third base with one out in the 11th inning, giving Pensacola a, 4-3, victory Friday over Jacksonville at Blue Wahoos Stadium. It’s the first time in the Blue Wahoos’ five-year history that it has won the first two five-game series.
Pensacola is 3-1 against the Suns and sits atop the Southern League South Division at 7-2. Jacksonville fell to 5-4.
Chang, who’s hitting .294, nearly froze to death after his walk-off hit getting doused in cold water three times. It was the third walk-off in his career. He said the feeling of hitting a walk-off never gets old.
“Never. Absolutely never,” Chang said after the game. “That’s an awesome feeling.”
Chang’s walk-off was set up by smart base running by Wallach. He took off for second when Suns’ closer Victor Araujo bounced one in the dirt and ended up on third when catcher Francisco Arcia threw the ball into right-center field.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said Chang was just the person he wanted at the plate.
“I love him being up in that situation with his experience,” Kelly said. “Chang was clutch again.”
In the 10th inning, the Blue Wahoos loaded the bases against Araujo with two outs but he struck out Pensacola’s Brandon Dixon to get out of the inning.
Chang said the mood of the 2016 team compared to last year’s team is “180-degrees different.” He added, “We got off to a really slow beginning last year. We’ve got some serious chemistry going on here.”
Interestingly, Wallach scored the Blue Wahoos last two runs. He smashed a two-run homer to right field — the team’s third home run of the season — that put the Blue Wahoos up, 3-0, in the second inning.
“Chad’s got the power to go to the opposite field,” Kelly said. “In this park, I don’t care which way the wind is blowing, that’s a big home run.”
The Blue Wahoos went up, 1-0, in the first when Beau Amaral walked and then scored when left fielder Tony Renda, ripped a single to center field.
However, Jacksonville clawed its way back scoring one run in the sixth, seventh and eighth to tie the game, 3-3. In the eighth, Suns first baseman Brady Shoemaker singled into right field with one out to score right fielder Jeremias Pineda with the tying run.
Jacksonville had a golden opportunity to win the game in the ninth inning when it loaded the bases but Austin Dean hit a chopper to Pensacola third baseman Eric Jagielo, who quickly threw to home plate to force out second baseman Peter Mooney. With the bases still loaded and two out, Shoemaker hit a grounder to Jagielo who stepped on the third base bag to end the scoring threat.
Meanwhile, the Wahoos bats went silent as Jacksonville relievers set down 16 Pensacola hitters in a row from the fourth inning until Chad Wallach earned an infield single that ricocheted off the first baseman in the ninth inning. In fact, Suns relievers Scott Lyman, Tyler Kinley and Sean Donatello combined to pitch 5.2 innings of no-hit, no-run ball until Wallach’s hit.
Pensacola pitcher Jackson Stephens, who got the Suns side out four times in six innings, pitched 5.2 innings and allowed one run on three hits and two walks, while striking out seven.
Cantonment Man Facing Multiple Drug, Weapons Charges After Traffic Stop
April 15, 2016
A Cantonment man is jailed on a list of drug and weapons charges after a Pensacola traffic stop.
Pensacola Police conducted a traffic stop on Olive Road on a vehicle driven by 31-year old Thomas Richard Moore III.
After K-9 alerted on the vehicle, officers reported finding Spice, several controlled narcotics and other prescription medications for which Moore did not have a prescription, a variety of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine and a .38 caliber revolver. The loaded revolver was listed as stolen by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Moore was charged with possession of a new legend drug without a prescription, possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a synthetic narcotic with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of marijuana.
Moore remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $34,500.
Waiting List Remains Open For Century Tornado Housing Assistance
April 15, 2016
A phone line remains open for tornado victims inside the Town of Century to be placed on a waiting list for possible state housing assistance.
It is not yet known how long the waiting list will be taking additions due to limited funding. An interlocal agreement between the Town of Century and Escambia County is expected to go before the Escambia County Commission on April 21 spelling out additional details.
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.
Habitat For Humanity To Hold Open House On Saturday
April 15, 2016
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity will host an open house Saturday for interested persons to learn more about becoming Habitat homeowners.
The open house will be held from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 2037 North Roberts Circle near Cantonment. Attendees can learn about affordable home ownership, Habitiat’s home buyer program and tour a Habitat house.
Scott Signs Key Health Bills, Vetoes Dental Measure
April 15, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed a series of health-care bills, including a measure that supporters say will help shield patients from getting hit with surprise tabs after going to hospital emergency rooms.
Scott also vetoed a bill that would have provided financial incentives for dentists to practice in underserved areas of the state. The bill (HB 139) had been unanimously approved by the House and Senate during the legislative session that ended March 11.
The measures signed Thursday included some of the most heavily lobbied health-care bills of the session. As an example, Scott signed a measure (HBÂ 221) that drew attention from health insurers, doctors and hospitals and addresses an issue known as “balance billing.”
That issue primarily deals with patients who have preferred provider organization, or PPO, coverage and go to hospitals for emergency care. Patients have sometimes gotten unexpected bills because doctors at the hospitals are not part of the insurance plans’ networks.
The legislation seeks to prevent patients from getting hit with those surprise expenses and, in part, sets up a dispute-resolution process for health-care providers and insurers to work out payment issues. State Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, who has been an outspoken supporter of the measure, said it establishes a “balanced solution to the complex issue of medical billing.”
“This new law protects consumers by holding them harmless in times of both emergency situations when choosing a provider is not an option, and in non-emergency situations when communication may not be made clear regarding out-of-network providers who may be offering care,” Atwater said in a prepared statement. “As a result, consumers are left with a more affordable bill comparable to what they would have paid if the provider had been in their network.”
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, and Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, also will require health insurers to cover such services as speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy for people with Down syndrome. That provision, which expands part of a law that took effect in 2009 for people with autism spectrum disorder, was a priority of Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and was added in the final hours of the session.
Among the other bills signed Thursday was a long-debated measure (HB 423), sponsored by Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, Rep. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami, and Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, that will allow advanced registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe controlled substances. The bill would place some limits on the authority, such as restricting the prescribing of what are known as “Schedule II” controlled substances, such as codeine and oxycodone, to seven-day supplies.
Also, Scott signed a measure (HB 1175), sponsored by Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, and Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, that is aimed at creating greater transparency for patients about health-care costs and quality. In addition, Scott signed a bill (HB 7087), sponsored by Sprowls, Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, and Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, that will create an advisory council that would make recommendations about increasing the use of “telehealth.”
In all, Scott signed 20 bills Thursday dealing with a range of issues including health care, education, transportation and property insurance.
Scott’s veto of the dental bill was something of a surprise — and was only the second bill he has vetoed this year. The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Travis Cummings, R-Orange Park, and Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, would have created a program to provide awards of $10,000 to $100,000 to dentists who work in underserved areas, such as rural areas or low-income areas.
The money could have been used for such things are repayment of dental-school loans or investment in facilities and equipment. But in a veto letter, Scott said, in part, that the bill was duplicative of other programs that provide dental care, such as the statewide Medicaid managed-care system.
“While I agree with the bill sponsors that maintaining good oral health is integral to the overall health of Florida families, I cannot support a program that does not place appropriate safeguards on taxpayer investments,” the veto letter said. “The bill does not require dentists who receive taxpayer dollars to hire a specific number of new employees or to serve a certain number of low-income patients each year. Furthermore, the bill opens the door for state dollars to be used to incentivize other high-income professionals.”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Escambia Mira Awards Honor Most Creative Seniors
April 15, 2016
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation honored 68 of Escambia County’s outstanding creative high school seniors at the 2016 Mira Creative Arts Awards Ceremony Thursday night in Pensacola.
Mira Creative Arts Awards recipients were nominated by their high school teachers for their achievements in the creative arts. At the ceremony, the students received commemorative engraved medallions and Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Jeff Miller.
Recipients of the 2016 Mira Creative Arts Award were:
Honorees are listed below under a photo from each school, scroll down, click to enlarge.
Escambia High School
Megan R. Berrian, Theatre/Chorus
Brody Cecil, Instrumental Music
Tyler Crowe, Instrumental Music
Rebecca Lin Edwards, Visual Arts
Carly Gill, Digital Multimedia
Veronica Guersney, Culinary Arts
Trevor King, Instrumental Music
Avery Lockett, Instrumental Music
Brianna Renee Miller, Yearbook
Kayla Jean Wood, Visual Arts
Northview High School
Jessica Amerson, Yearbook
Tamara Barrows, Visual Arts
Cheyenne Gray, Visual Arts
Abbie Johnson, Instrumental Music
Bethany Reynolds, Yearbook
Elizabeth Sanders, Visual Arts
Jordan Taylor, Yearbook
Harmoni Till, Theatre
Bradley Van Pelt, Writing
Haylee Weaver, Public Speaking
Pensacola High School
Allison Cramer, Theatre
Katherine Englemeyer, Instrumental Music
Lauren Heidenreich, Photography
Kierstan Johnson, Journalism
Darriell Jones, Visual Arts
Christian Kyles-Smith, Theatre
Ariel Noethlich, Visual Arts
Jonathan Voyles, Instrumental Music
Pine Forest High School
Benjamin Blevins, Robotics
Jasmine Brown, Visual Arts
Amanda Faller, Television Production
Trey Haynes, Vocal Music
Alyssa Javier, Vocal Music
Kristina McKinnon, Journalism
Tabitha Reno, Cyber Security
Jordan Riddle, Instrumental Music
Christopher Schofield, Instrumental Music
Callastasia Williams, Visual Arts
Tate High School
Sarah Mae Cagle, Mock Trial
Bryce Coots, Instrumental Music
Troy Craig, Theatre
Michele Danley, Visual Arts
Jessica Edge, Vocal Music
Tiffany Griffin, Instrumental Music
McClain Houdashelt, Theatre
Brianna Snyder, Instrumental Music
Cody Swilley, Instrumental Music
Kaela Tibbs, Vocal Music
Booker T. Washington High School
Kristen Bonanno, Visual Arts
Isaiah Gonzalez, Theatre
Kina Kawakami, Instrumental Music
Yuliya Sola Lee, Instrumental Music
Madison G. O’Toole, Visual Arts
Alana Marie Pacheco, Journalism
Cody Alan Paquette, Instrumental Music
Anna Safko, Theatre
Hannah Spears, Theatre
Jackson Van Matre, Instrumental Music
West Florida High School
Lynn Ruth Arthur, Photography
Cheynne Byrd, Instrumental Music
Lane Markham Isbell, Graphic/Digital Design
Melissa Jansen, Graphic/Digital Design
Katie McArthur, Graphic/Digital Design
Mariah McMullen, Instrumental Music
Bianca Mutter, Journalism
Stephen Rodgers, III, Visual Arts
Yana Thompson, Visual Arts
Stephen Woodson, Theatre
In 1987, a group of teachers at J. M. Tate High School created the Mira Awards to recognize talented and creative students in the arts and sciences. The following year, the committee approached the Foundation to bring the awards under its umbrella and to initiate county-wide student participation each year in the areas of writing, performing and visual arts, and other creative disciplines. The term “Mira” is Latin for the name of the brightest star in the constellation Cetus.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge
Escambia Man Indicted For Premeditated Murder Of His Wife
April 15, 2016
An Escambia County Grand Jury has indicted 44-year old Christopher Crain for first degree premeditated murder in the death of wife, June Ann Crain.
June Ann Crain was found beaten to death of March 20, 2016, at the couple’s home in the 4100 block of Tonbridge Circle.
A witness found her in bed with blood on the wall and floor around her. She called 911 and deputies responded to the home.
Christopher Crain was taken into custody at the residence. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Scott Signs Education Bills
April 15, 2016
A wide-ranging education bill dealing with everything from funding for high-performing universities to school membership in athletic associations was signed into law Thursday by Gov. Rick Scott.
The 160-page measure (HB 7029), which ended up almost three times as long as its original version, was approved by lawmakers on the last day of this year’s legislative session. It touched on virtually every level of public education in the state.
The measure would allow parents to transfer their children to any public school in the state that isn’t at capacity through an “open enrollment” process; add to state law performance-funding formulas for colleges and universities; allow private schools to join the Florida High School Athletic Association or other organizations on a sport-by-sport basis; and give charter schools that serve lower-income students or those with disabilities a bigger slice of construction funding doled out by the state.
The bill would also send additional funds to “emerging pre-eminent” universities — possibly the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida. Those schools are approaching the pre-eminent status that provides extra money to the University of Florida and Florida State University.
“This is a great day for students across Florida as Governor Scott signs into law historic legislation to increase school choice options across our K-12 education system by allowing parents to have a greater say regarding which of our neighborhood public schools their child will attend,” said Senate Education Appropriations Chairman Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican who handled the bill in the Senate.
Scott and other leaders praised the performance-funding portion of the bill. State universities are entering their third year of receiving a share of state funds under the formula, but the new law makes the change permanent.
“We have seen the positive impact performance-based funding has had on our state universities and students,” Scott said in a statement issued through the university system. “Performance funding helps increase graduation rates, which translates into less debt for our students and their families.”
A handful of other education measures were included in a batch of 20 bills Scott signed Thursday. The governor touted a bill (HB 7019) aimed at holding down higher-education costs by pushing textbook affordability measures and repealing a law allowing the Florida Board of Governors to give individual universities’ boards of trustees the ability to increase graduate tuition.
Also, Scott signed bills that will create a pilot program aimed at giving principals more autonomy in the way they run schools (HB 287); more clearly spell out how education for homebound and hospitalized students should be handled (HB 585); and deal with emergency allergy treatments in schools (HB 1305).
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida