IP Explosion: Schools Buses Return To Hard Hit Neighborhood
February 3, 2017
For the first time since the International Paper explosion, schools buses will once again roll today in the Woodbury Circle area of Cantonment.
The buses were unable to enter the neighborhood due to concerns at first over the black liquor that covered the roadways, and then due to the ongoing cleanup effort.
“We have been working closely with members of the Unified Command team to create a way to safely restore normal school bus transportation service in the Woodbury subdivision,” an Escambia County School District Transportation Director Rob Doss said.
Parents were scheduled to receive a phone call Thursday night advising them of the change.
Since the explosion, students in the area have used a temporary bus stop at the old Winn Dixie shopping center. Buses will stop there today and Monday for any students that might miss the notification that service has returned to their neighborhood.
Century Chamber Board Meeting Canceled
February 3, 2017
The February meeting of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors set for Thursday was canceled due to scheduling conflicts and illness.
A full chamber membership meeting will be held in March. The date, time and location will be announced.
NWE And Cantonment Baseball, Softball Registration Continuing
February 3, 2017
Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park spring baseball and softball registration continues Friday, February 3, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 4, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. A copy of your child’s birth certificate is required. Registration cost for 7 years and older is $100 for first child; $85 for second and $75 for third child. Registration cost for T-ball, ages 4 – 6 is is $95 for first child; $80 for second and $70 for third child. Registration fees include $30 fee for jersey and hat and $25 concession stand fee. Pre-registration online is available at nweballpark@gmail.com; however, attendance at a registration event is required for uniform fitting. Contact Brad Sullivan (850) 324-5692 or Sara Knighten (850) 572-5000 for more information.
Registration is also continuing the Cantonment Ballpark, with in-person registration the next two Saturdays. To register, click here for the Cantonment Baseball website.
Tate High School Varsity Basketball Honors Seniors
February 3, 2017
The seniors on the Tate High School varsity basketball team were recently honored. They are (L-R) Christian Cass, Kaleb Cole, Temarques Dunnigan, and Robert Rush. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century To Hold Land Development Code Meeting
February 3, 2017
The Town of Century will hold a public workshop on Thursday, February 9 at 11 a.m. to review proposed Land Development Code changes.
The workshop will review and receive public input on proposed amendments to “Chapter 5, Resource Protection Standards” of the Town of Century Land Development Code.
The meeting will be held the council chambers of the Century Town Hall at 7995 North Century Boulevard.
Florida Lawmakers Look At Stand Alone Liquor Sale Requirements
February 3, 2017
A measure that would allow Floridians to mix vodka and veggies in their shopping carts — something prohibited for more than eight decades — sailed through a Senate committee on Thursday.
The Regulated Industries Committee, in a 9-1 vote, backed the latest proposal (SB 106) to repeal a Depression-era law requiring liquor stores and bars to be separated from groceries and other retail goods, commonly referred to as the “liquor wall.”
The measure could be a boon to some “big box” retailers. Meanwhile, lawmakers are looking to exclude some small gas stations and neighborhood convenience stores if the proposal becomes law.
The proposal, which has failed to advance in past sessions, pits retailers Wal-Mart and Target, both in favor of the repeal, against Lakeland-based shopping giant Publix and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.
Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, said she doesn’t see the proposed change causing small independent liquor stores to go out of business, as they would continue to attract “niche” customers.
“It’s a whole different demographic,” Gibson said in voting for the proposal. “I go to (an) ABC (in Jacksonville). There is a Wal-Mart I can take the next exit to go to that has a (separate) liquor store there, but I go to that ABC because they have certain brands that I don’t believe that a Wal-Mart will ever have.”
Sen. Keith Perry, a Gainesville Republican who cast the lone vote against the measure, said after the meeting he’s open to revisions in the bill but for now has concerns about access to alcohol by minors.
“I have teenage daughters, and I have a sophomore in college, and access now is pretty available, whether in bar or places,” Perry said. “It’s not the competitiveness that I’m concerned about. I think we should have less barriers for business.”
The proposal is intended by its sponsor, Miami Republican Anitere Flores, to give shoppers more convenience. The bill would allow hard spirits such as whiskey and rum to be sold alongside beer, wine and groceries in traditional supermarkets and other stores that sell groceries. The measure would also allow liquor stores to expand their grocery options.
Jason Unger, a lobbyist for Target, said the change would “enable us to meet our customers’ demands.”
Publix views stand-alone liquor stores directly adjacent to its regular stores as a business model.
Scott Dick, a lobbyist for the Florida Independent Spirits Association, said the change would give the big-box operators an unfair competitive advantage over small liquor-store owners.
“We operate under a level playing field today,” Dick said.
Charles Bailes, CEO of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, argued big-box stores have been able to compete under the existing law and that there hasn’t been a public outcry for the repeal. He also said the change would make liquor more accessible for minors to steal.
Bailes noted that earlier this month an 18-year-old was arrested on multiple charges after telling a Wal-Mart manager in The Villages that she drank five cans of beer from the beer aisle.
“Big box retailers have difficulty controlling what goes on in their stores, especially those that are minimally staffed,” Bailes said.
The bill could see some revisions in the coming weeks.
Several committee members suggested greater fines for businesses repeatedly found selling liquor to minors. Also, they pointed to a need to exclude small gas stations and convenience stores that now have licenses to sell beer and wine from obtaining liquor licenses.
A legal definition related to excluding certain gas stations and convenience stores from obtaining liquor licenses is already being crafted but remains a tricky issue, Flores said.
“7-Eleven bad, Wawa I don’t know,” Flores told the committee. “I’m open to suggestions.”
Flores added that she’d be willing to consider adding higher fines for stores and people found repeatedly selling liquor to minors as suggested by Committee Chairman Travis Hutson, R-Elkton, and supported by some opponents of the repeal.
The committee’s support Thursday indicated that the proposal could have a better chance than past versions of the bill that failed to advance through the committee process in the House and Senate. The 2017 legislative session starts March 7.
Rep. Bryan Avila, a Hialeah Republican who is sponsoring the House version of the bill (HB 81), said on Wednesday that consumers should be allowed to decide what they prefer.
“Government’s role is not to determine who wins and who loses in the market,” Avila said. “I think consumers should be the one to determine whether a particular business or company is successful.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Six More Weeks Of Winter? North Escambia Weather Ducks See Shadow
February 2, 2017
On this Groundhog Day, Puxatony Phil, the world famous groundhog, and the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks have both predicted six more weeks of winter.
Forklore says that if the groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, it means six more weeks of winter. We did not have a groundhog handy for a photo, but we did have the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks. And just like their more famous Pennsylvania weather buddy, our weather ducks also saw their shadow this morning at our office.
This was one of the few times our weather ducks that they have predicted more winter. For those that might be a little unsure as the weather ducks’ ability, we offer the two photographs below showing the weather ducks predicting six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day 2010 and 10 days later with their snowman.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Molino Home Burglary
February 2, 2017
A Cantonment man has been charged with the burglary of a Crabtree Church home.
The victim told deputies that he was asleep in his “man cave” when he woke to see an unknown male in his home. The victim said he chased the man out of his house, and he fled in a SUV. The victim reported that his front door had been completely kicked off the hinges, and he was missing a 42-inch smart TV.
The suspect was later identified as 21-year old Alexander George DeLoach. He was charged with unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling, grand theft and criminal mischief with property damage. He was being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $26,000.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Deloach may have been involved in additional residential burglaries with additional charges forthcoming.
AT&T Hiring For Cantonment, Pensacola Tech Jobs
February 2, 2017
AT&T is hiring installation technicians, with 24 openings from Cantonment and Pensacola to Tallahassee. Ten of the jobs are based in Cantonment.
AT&T technicians connect customers to the latest technology. The techs install AT&T high-speed internet, TV and voice services. These positions are ideal for people who want to take their career on the road instead of being confined to a desk.
“Our mission is to connect people with their world, everywhere they live, work and play, and to do it better than anyone else,” said Joe York, AT&T Florida president. “The people we hire play a key role in that.”
To apply for the technician openings, visit https://connect.att.jobs/.
IP Explosion: Community Town Hall Meeting Tonight
February 2, 2017
A community town hall meeting will be held tonight to provide the very latest information on the International Paper explosion in Cantonment.
International Paper hosted an “open house” last Saturday for impacted residents and businesses around the mill. Attendees were able to visit tables inside a tent on the IP property and individually obtain more information on topics such as “health” and the “environment”. Many that attended the open house expressed their displeasure at the format, saying that expected more of a meeting format with officials and experts addressing the crowd.
In response, the Unified Command will host the community town hall meeting tonight in the Tate High School Cafeteria. There will be an incident response overview followed by a question and answer session for residents and businesses in the local area. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will begin at 6 p.m.
The Unified Command Team is comprised of International Paper, Escambia County EMA/Public Safety, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Pictured: An open house last Saturday at International Paper in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
