McCarthy High earns Excellence award honors

MIAMI — Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School has been recognized by the Catholic Education Honor Roll as a 2014 School of Excellence .

The Catholic Education Honor Roll recognizes secondary schools throughout the United States that are committed to strong Catholic identity and academic excellence.

The Cardinal Newman Society has managed the Catholic Education Honor Roll program since the 2012 award cycle after assuming responsibility for it from the Acton Institute, which launched the program in 2004.

City leaders repeal saggy pants ban

OCALA — Saggy pants will once again be allowed on city property after the Ocala City Council voted to repeal an ordinance banning them.

In a 4-1 vote on Sept. 16, the council reversed the controversial ordinance.

Local NAACP president Loretta Pompey Jenkins applauded the action, saying the issue should be dealt with at home, in church or by community groups instead of by government agencies. She says the ordinance was seen by many as an attempt to target young black men.

Councilwoman Mary Rich was the dissenting vote. She initially convinced the council to approve the ordinance, which carried a penalty of up to $500 and 60 days in jail.

 Education leaders postpone talks on Bright Futures

PENSACOLA — Florida’s state university system is postponing any talk about the state’s popular Bright Futures scholarship program until after the November elections.

The Board of Governors was expected on Wednesday to discuss a request from universities to boost financial aid to students who come from lower income families. But board members said discussing the issue now was “premature.”

Universities say $45 million is needed from the Legislature because of the reduction in the number of students qualifying for Bright Futures. Legislators changed the eligibility standards for the lottery scholarship program in 2010 and 2011.

The changes have reduced the number of students who qualify with an analysis showing big drops coming from black and Hispanic students.