Approved: New Ernest Ward Middle School, $50 Million In Building Projects
February 22, 2012
Tuesday night, the Escambia County School Board unanimously approved the construction of a new $16.5 million Ernest Ward Middle School, part of $50 million in construction projects using half-cent sales tax money.
In addition to Ernest Ward, the district will rebuild A.K. Suter Elementary in Pensacola for $21.5 million and spend at least $75,000 at every other school in the district.
Projects planned for North Escambia area schools include:
- Bratt Elementary will receive $75,000 for general renovations to include casework in classrooms (bookshelves and cabinets)
- Jim Allen Elementary will receive $100,000 for general renovations including the replacement of windows in the cafeteria
- Molino Park Elementary will receive $100,000 for sitework, including a 6-foot wide asphalt walking trail
- Ernest Ward Middle will be rebuilt for $16,500,000.
- Ransom Middle School will receive $90,000 for general renovations including updated video and audio for the cafeteria stage
- Northview High School will receive $100,000 for new construction to include a storage facility
- Tate High School will receive $100,000 for general renovations to include the old gym
- West Florida High School will receive $100,000 for sitework, including additional paved parking
The oldest buildings at Ernest Ward, including the main classroom wing, were constructed in 1945, while portions of Suter were build in the 1920’s. They are the oldest schools in the county. Both of the rebuilds will be constructed on the existing school properties.
For a photo gallery from the current EWMS campus, click here.
“With the Ernest Ward rebuild, you will have high performing schools with very adequate facilities across the north end of the county,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said recently.
“It’s about time,” Escambia County School Board District 5 member Bill Slayton said recently. “The superintendent and I have talked about the need since we were elected. This has been my number one priority once the funding was in place. Since we are using sales tax money, this is a case of money being raised in Escambia County and being put right back into Escambia County.”
Architectural design work on the new Ernest Ward facility will begin as early as this week. The new school, Thomas said, will be completely state of the art, including smart boards and related electronics in each classroom.
In February 2010, the school board approved $480,000 for a new Ernest Ward cafeteria. Design on the cafeteria is currently underway in such a way that it will be part of the new school campus.
Students will be on site during the construction of the new school; it will be built either in front of or behind the current facility. Once the new building is complete, the current building will be torn down, and portables and modular buildings currently on the campus will be removed.
Most of project work in 2012 will include the design and permitting stages. Construction, Thomas said, will likely be underway by 2013. Students could be attending classes in the new building by the 2013-2014 school year in a best-case scenario, Thomas said, but that could easily be postponed to 2014-2015 by any permitting or construction delays.
“This will be a win-win for the community,” Slayton said. “This will pump millions into the economy and save jobs in Escambia County. It’s long overdue.”
For a photo gallery from the current EWMS campus, click here.
Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Evers Bill To Allow Oil Drilling In State Parks Appears Dead
February 22, 2012
A bill sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers that would have allowed drilling for oil and gas on state lands appears dead after it failed to advance from a key Senate committee that does not intend to meet again this session.
Facing multiple questions and concerns from environmental groups, state regulators and the governor’s office, the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee adjourned without taking action on SB 1158, a bill that would help a company seeking oil and gas on state lands including Blackwater River State Forest.
The committee’s chairman, Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, said there were too many unanswered questions surrounding how the bill would affect the state’s ability to control what happens on environmentally sensitive land.
“Until those issues are clearly settled, I don’t think it’s feasible at this time to go into that type of program, Dean said.
State regulators already have a process to approve such activities on state-owned land. The bill however, would speed up the process by limiting the amount of time state regulators have to complete environmental impact reviews.
Further, the bill and its House companion, HB 695, would grant the company that did the exploration exclusive drilling rights within the permit region.
The bill drew fire from groups like Audubon of Florida, which worried that it could make it easier to drill in the Everglades as well as points farther north where Fairways Exploration and Production is exploring for oil.
Audubon said the company is seeking an agreement that would protect it from spending money to test for oil and then have competitors step in.
“It would have provided exclusivity to the exploration company, which would have kept the market from looking out for the public interest to make sure we’re getting our money’s worth,” said Julie Wraithmell. Audubon’s director of wildlife management.
“It’s dead until there is an agreement with other parties that have a concern,” Dean said. “We’re not having another meeting but I guess it could be voted out of another committee….It could be, but I doubt it.”
The House version of the bill is up before the State Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
By The News Service of Florida
PSC Staff: Don’t Let Gulf Power Raise Rates For North Escambia Nuclear Plant
February 22, 2012
The Florida Public Service Commission staff has recommended slashing a requested Gulf Power base rate increase and is against letting Gulf Power raise rates for a potential nuclear power plant in North Escambia.
The staff would not allow Gulf Power to pass along costs related to a potential North Escambia nuclear-power plant site. The recommendation says Gulf Power has not taken an initial step — known as getting a determination of need — for such a project.
So far, Gulf Power has spent $13 million buying 2,700 acres near McDavid for what the company says might be a nuclear plant.
The final decision will come next week, but PSC staff is recommended that Gulf Power be allowed a base rate increase of $62.3 million.
The utility, which has 431,000 customers in the Panhandle, requested a $93.5 million hike last year, but attorneys for consumers and business groups argue the company should only receive a $17.2 million increase, according to a 250-page PSC staff recommendation filed last week.
Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the rate increase Monday, and staff recommendations typically play a key role in PSC deliberations. The staff, in part, would reduce the potential investor returns that Gulf has included in its proposal. The staff recommended a 10.25 percent return on equity —a closely watched measure of profitability — while Gulf requested an 11.7 percent return.
Pictured top: One of many house that now sit abandoned near McDavid where Gulf Power has purchased thousands of acres for a possible nuclear power plant. On of many Gulf Power “Posted” signs that line the roads in the area of the potential plant. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Escambia County Names New PIO
February 22, 2012
Kathleen Dough-Castro has been named the new Public Information Officer for Escambia County. She will be responsible for all public relations activities for the county including developing branding, marketing and communications strategies.
Dough-Castro brings 22 years in communications experience, including 16 years in the public sector. Most recently, she was the marketing and communications director for the City of Sunrise in Broward County. She previously served as a public information specialist for the City of Fort Lauderdale and worked in economic development for the City of North Miami Beach.
Since 2009, Dough-Castro has been working as a marketing communications consultant specializing in advising clients focused in industries such as water/wastewater engineering, law, government, construction services and land use development.
Her first day on the job will be March 27.
“I look forward to Ms. Dough-Castro being part of the senior management team in Escambia County and to the breadth of experience she brings to the county,” Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver said.
Man Bites Deputy’s Cruiser Multiple Times (With Photo)
February 22, 2012
A Santa Rosa County man is facing charges for sinking his teeth into a deputy’s patrol car — literally biting down through the paint.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a neighborhood after residents said a white male with a flashlight was knocking on doors asking them to call 911 because he needed medical attention.
Eric Stephen Scott, 47, became agitated when deputies arrived, cursing them and asking them to kill him. Deputies detained Scott. As he was leaning over the front of a patrol car, he began to bite the car, dragging his teeth and stripping the paint down to the bare metal in multiple locations. (Yes, those are teeth marks in the hood pictured above.)
Scott was transported to an area hospital for evaluation. Deputies said he was under the influence and possibly bath salts. Charges are pending against Scott for criminal mischief and resisting an officer without violence, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The damage to the deputy’s cruiser was estimated at $600.
Pictured top: Teeth marks left in the hood of Santa Rosa county Sheriff’s Office cruiser. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview JV, Varsity Beat Escambia Academy (With Gallery)
February 22, 2012
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat the Cougars of Escambia Academy Tuesday afternoon in both varsity and junior varsity softball.
The varsity Lady Chiefs beat the Cougars 15-5 with the game called in the fifth inning due to the 1o-run rule.
Mallory Ryan pitched the win for the Chiefs in five, allowing five hits, five runs and striking out two. Misty Doran was 3-4 with a double; Samantha Johnson went2-3 with two doubles and Shaquanna Jones was 2-4.
The varsity Lady Chiefs are 2-0 on the young season.
In JV action, Northview beat Escambia Academy 8-1.
The Lady Chiefs will be back in action Thursday on the road against the Baker Gators. The JV takes the field at 4:00, and the varsity plays at 6:00. Northview’s next home games are February 27 against Flomaton.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
Pictured top: Northview’s Misty Doran does not swing at a foul. Pictured inset: Mallory Ryan on the mound for the Chiefs. Pictured below: Lady Chief Lauren McCall safe at second. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century’s Wastewater Plant To Get $374,500 In Improvements
February 22, 2012
The Town of Century has approved $374,500 in miscellaneous improvements to the town’s wastewater treatment plants.
The construction contract was awarded to Martin Construction of Crestview. The next lowest bidder was Vision Construction at $400,000.
Bids were also received from: J & P Constructjon for 450,000, and North Florida Construction for $422,131.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested, Fired
February 22, 2012
An Escambia County deputy was arrested and later fired after a weekend disturbance at a Pensacola Beach bar.
Christopher Allen Trusler, 32, was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, trespassing, resisting arrest without violence and disorderly intoxication.
Deputies were called to escort Trusler out of Captain Fun’s Beach Bar where he reportedly caused a disturbance with several bar patrons and employees. According to an arrest report, Trusler continued to cause a disturbance after deputies arrived.
Trusler’s blood alcohol level at the time of the incident was a .239, according to his arrest report. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,000 bond.
Trusler was in probationary status with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, having been employed as a patrol deputy for about eight months. He was fired over the incident, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Shirley Wyatt White
February 22, 2012
Shirley Wyatt White, age 72 of Jay, passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2012, in Pensacola.
She was a lifelong resident of Jay and a member McLellan Church of Christ. She was a retired registered nurse, who made caring for others a lifelong commitment.
She is preceded in death by her father, James T. Wyatt and husbands Benny R. White (2004) and George D. West (1970).
She is survived by her mother Mary E. Wyatt; children, Rusty (Tricia) Wade, Bill (Teresa) Wade and Mima (Jack) Floyd; stepchildren; Saundra Casey, Joe White, Susan White and Melissa Gorum; brother Fred (Pat) Wyatt; grandchildren, Kathleen Wade, Jessica Wade, Morgan Floyd and Mallory Floyd.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2012, at Jay Funeral Home with Bro. Charles Dixon officiating. Burial will follow at the Dixonville Community of Christ Church Cemetery. A visitation will be held Thursday, February 23, 2012, from 6-8 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
Let The Good Times Roll: Seniors Celebrate Mardi Gras
February 22, 2012
Residents at the Century Care Center celebrated Mardi Gras Tuesday in grand style with both a parade and a party.
The parade featured lots of throws, including Mardi Gras beads and other trinkets. Residents in Mardi Gras costumes paraded and rolled through the hallways in their wheelchairs to the delight of other residents watching the parade.
Ruth Steele was named Mardi Gras queen, and John Holsberry was named king.
For more photos from the celebration, click here.
Pictured top: Century Care Center Mardi Gras Queen Ruth Steele and King John Holsberry. Pictured inset: Josephine (Jo Jo) Griffin in her decorated wheelchair. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.