Century CRA Has Collected $58K To Improved ‘Blighted’ Area
June 30, 2022
The Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) now has just over $58,000 in the bank and will soon begin to consider potential projects to improve blighted areas of the town.
The five members of the Century Town Council currently sit as the CRA board. At the council’s next meeting, they are expected to appoint two citizens as additional members of the CRA board.
In October 2018, the council approved a Tax Increment Financing plan for their redevelopment area, allowing the CRA to receive property tax revenues each year in excess of an established base rate. The appraised value of the property within the designated district was “frozen” in 2018, with that amount of tax revenue generated still designated for the town’s general fund, the county and other taxing authorities.
The redevelopment area receives 95 percent of the property tax generated in excess of the frozen base value as property values rise. Along with small interest earnings, CRA had a balance of $58,010.10 on May 31, 2022.
The CRA funds will be used to improve conditions in the 510 acres bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East High 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King (see map below).
Tax Increment Financing is a unique tool available to cities and counties for redevelopment activities. It is used to leverage public funds to promote private sector activities in the targeted redevelopment area. Property owners in the CRA pay the same tax rate as those in the remainder of the town.
TIF revenue can be used on a “pay as you go” basis, where the annual stream of revenue is used to fund small projects, or used to pay debt service costs over the life of a project lasting 10 or more years. Historically in Florida, TIF has been effective at generating large amounts of funding for capital investments for roadway improvements, flood control programs, water and sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements, parking lots and garages, neighborhood parks, sidewalks, street and sidewalk tree plantings, signs and building construction.
After a February 2016 tornado damaged or destroyed 40 homes and businesses, the town looked to address the long-term effects on the community of a downturn in economic development. That led to the redevelopment area.
The CRA plan sets a roadmap for future development and spending to eliminate existing conditions of blight and to encourage continued private investment. The plan also provides a framework for coordinating and facilitating public and private redevelopment within the area.
Pictured: The Century CRA held a workshop meeting this week. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Century CRA boundary map, click to enlarge.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely Again Friday
June 30, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 85. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Tate Aggies Cheerleaders And Football Program Hold Annual Summer Camps
June 30, 2022
This was a big week on the Tate High School campus for kids taking part in two different summer camps.
The Tate High Aggies football program held their annual kids football camp directed by the Tate coaching staff and assisted by Aggies football players. Participants had an opportunity to work on fundamentals, practice agility, run through drills and learn about being part of a team.
The Tate High School Cheerleaders held their annual Lil Aggies Summer Camp. The Tate Aggies cheerleaders taught young athletes the proper stretch techniques, sideline cheers and chants, proper jump techniques and motion placement, as well as stunting and tumbling skill building. The cheerleaders will hold another camp in the fall.
For more photos from both camps, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay, Central Students Take Part In Washington Youth Tour
June 30, 2022
Four area students recently participated in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association annual Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.
Northview High School junior Drake Driskell, Jay High School senior Caroline Harp, and seniors Hannah Bott and Taylor Baggett from Central High School were Escambia River Electric Cooperative representatives on the tour.
“Sponsoring students for this exciting, educational trip is just one of the ways we invest in our youth,” says Ryan Campbell, CEO of EREC.
On the weeklong Youth Tour, students visited many of the major monuments and memorials, including the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Cathedral and more. The students also visited Capitol Hill where they met with members of Congress.
“Being in Washington DC for a week was nothing short of amazing! Seeing all the monuments, museums, buildings, national documents, and history in DC was absolutely fascinating,” said Harp.
This year, 34 students from cooperatives across Florida took part.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Boating And Fishing Violations
June 30, 2022
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Over Memorial Day Weekend, officers in Escambia County arrested three subjects for Boating Under the Influence (BUI), assisted in the successful search and rescue of two individuals who were swept down the Perdido River while they attempted to cross it, responded to a vessel crash involving two new PWC’s that were totaled and documented multiple boating safety violations.
Officer Specialist Allgood and Officer Burkhead were at Big Lagoon State Park boat ramp when they observed a vessel violating the idle speed zone. The officers conducted a vessel stop to address the violation. While speaking with the operator of the vessel, Officer Allgood noticed several signs of impairment. He conducted Standard Field Sobriety Tasks (SFST) and the operator was arrested for Boating Under the Influence (BUI). He was transported to the Escambia County Jail.
Officers Allgood and Burkhead were in Perdido River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when they noticed a parked car with its doors open. They approached the car and noticed the driver had an open beer and a cannabis cigarette in plain sight. After a short interview, it was discovered that the driver was in possession of marijuana and several items of drug paraphernalia including a scale and hallucinogenic mushrooms. The driver was arrested for the violations and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
Officers McHenry and Pettey followed up on a derelict vessel investigation. They identified the owner, who has been previously cited for two other derelict vessels. The owner was cited for allowing the additional vessel to become derelict and was given his rights packet. He was also cited for an expired registration.
Officers worked a detail concentrating on boating safety in Bayou Chico. Multiple violations were documented including inoperable navigation lights, expired registrations, failure to transfer vessel titles, and interfering with navigation. Inspections were also made on several vessels’ marine sanitation devices.
In conjunction with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Station Pensacola, Officer Lugg performed a coordinated offshore patrol with a focus on marine fisheries violations. There were numerous violations located throughout the patrol including snapper, amberjack, and grouper violations. Numerous boating safety issues were found, and all operators were educated, and violations addressed through the USCG Boarding Team. All violations were dealt with accordingly.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer’s Bower and Corbin were on patrol at Shoreline Park boat ramp when they observed a fishing vessel return to the dock. The vessel was removed from the water and a boating safety and resource inspection was conducted. The vessel had lionfish, Spanish mackerel, and a greater amberjack on board. The fish were measured, and the greater amberjack was undersized. The captain and owner of the vessel was issued a notice to appear citation for the violation.
Officers Bower and Corbin were on water patrol at Shoreline Park boat ramp when they observed a vessel returning to the dock without its navigational lights on. A vessel stop was conducted to address the violation and to conduct a boating safety inspection. The operator of the vessel was unable to provide a type IV throwable device, registration certificate, and the registration was not displayed on the vessel. Throughout the inspection the operator was assisted by the passenger in locating the items requested, was unable to provide items, would show items not requested, could not stay focused on one task, was unable to complete his sentences, and his eyes were bloodshot and glassy. The operator agreed to conduct Standard Field Sobriety Tasks (SFST) and was placed under arrest for Boating Under the Influence (BUI). The operator was also issued citations and warnings for the boating safety violations.
Officers Matechik, Oliver, and Corbin were on water patrol at the Brooks Bridge in the Santa Rosa Sound when they observed a vessel being operated on full plane through the slow speed/minimum wake zone. A vessel stop was conducted to address the violation and to conduct a boating safety inspection. During the stop the officers discovered the vessel had been rented and the occupants were not provided a type IV throwable device, a fire extinguisher, or a sound producing device. The officers met the owner of the vessel at a local boat ramp and completed a livery inspection. The owner has never taken a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Livery course, did not have the required boating safety signage, did not properly go over the area or how to operate the vessel, and did not provide the required boating safety equipment. The owner was issued a notice to appear citation for several livery violations.
Officers Mullins and Corbin were on patrol when they observed a vessel anchored on state waters with an expired registration of 2019. Two subjects were seen on board and a vessel stop was conducted to perform a safety inspection. The subjects stated they were living on the vessel and had purchased it a few months ago but had not transferred the title into their name. The owner was issued a notice to appear citation for failure to transfer title within 30 days and issued warnings for boating safety.
Officer’s Mullins and Corbin were on patrol and observed a vessel at a local boat ramp on the river. A vessel stop was conducted to perform a resource inspection and during the inspection items were located that are commonly used for bush hooks. Also, on board the vessel were approximately 20 small bream. The owner of the vessel admitted to setting bush hooks and was waiting to check them and was issued a notice to appear citation for untagged bush hooks and possession of freshwater fish taken by illegal devices. Officers Bower, Mullins, and Corbin later launched a patrol vessel and located approximately 20 bush hooks, matching the same equipment on the vessel they had stopped earlier, with four of the bush hooks still baited with bream. None of the bush hooks were tagged and an additional charge of using game fish as bait on bush hooks was added to the case.
Here Are Fireworks Shows And Events In The North Escambia Area
June 30, 2022
Here’s a schedule of public fireworks shows in the North Escambia area this year.
Saturday, July 2
- Freedom Fest at Woodbine Baptist Church, 4912 Woodbine Road in Pace from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A free family-friendly event featuring food trucks, bounce houses, horse and pony rides, water slides, face painting, a charitable silent auction and more. Restrooms, handwashing stations, and tent-covered tables will be available.
Monday, July 4
- Sertoma’s 4th of July Fireworks show and celebration will begin at 4:30 p.m. with live music and food trucks in Seville Square. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for a fireworks show over the bay beginning at 9 p.m. The fireworks show will be synchronized to music on Cat Country 98.7. (You’ll need an actual radio for correct timing. Any app will be delayed by several seconds.)
- Symphony Sparks & Stars is free at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Gates open at 6 p.m. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. in Hunter Amphitheater and will be live streamed on the stadium video board. The Sertoma fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. Concessions available (no outside food). Bring a blanket.
- Pensacola Beach Fireworks at 8:30 p.m. along the boardwalk on the sound side.
- July 4th Riverfest on Willing Street from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in historic downtown Milton. This family-friendly event features the Firecracker Motorcycle Show, a car show, food vendors, retail vendors, a children’s activity area, live entertainment, and the Great Milltown Duck Race. The night will end with a fireworks display over the Blackwater River at dark.
- Wind Creek Atmore fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Watch from the amphitheater or the surrounding area.
Note: There will be no fireworks show in Jay this year as Bray-Hendricks park closes for renovations and upgrades.
Rain Postpones The Biscuits And Wahoos, Sets Up Doubleheader For Thursday
June 30, 2022
Rain and wet grounds forced the postponement of Wednesday’s game between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Montgomery Biscuits at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The contest will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Thursday, June 30, with first pitch of game one beginning at 4:05 and game two starting at approximately 6:30. Both games will be seven innings, and gates will open to all fans at 3:30.
The postgame fireworks show will still proceed as scheduled on Wednesday, beginning at dusk.
Fans with tickets to Wednesday’s game may exchange them at the Blue Wahoos box office for tickets to a future 2022 Blue Wahoos regular season home game, subject to availability.
Sexual Predator Accused Of Registry Violations In Move From Cantonment To Century
June 29, 2022
A convicted sexual predator from Cantonment is facing multiple felony charges for failing to update his required registration information.
Court records show 62-year old Michael Allen Davis was convicted of a 1997 attempted sexual battery by an adult on a victim under age 12 in Escambia County and served nine years and 10 months. He was designated as a sexual predator at that time.
Davis is required to register with the sex offender/predator database four times per year, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he fraudulently reported on June 1 that he was residing at 108 Calloway Street in Cantonment.
On June 10, an Escambia County deputy attempting to verify his address was told by a woman that Davis had not lived there since March 2022. She told the deputy that Davis had a new girlfriend and was living in Century. Two days later, the woman told deputies that Davis had been back on Calloway Street for about three weeks since leaving in March, according to his arrest report. She provided the deputy with a phone number for Davis that was not included in his registry information.
Davis is required to update his address or any change to his phone number within 48, the report states.
Davis was charged with three felony sexual predator violations — failure to provide a cell number, failure to report a residence change and failure to report vacating a permanent residence. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $45,000.
Davis was also convicted of failing to comply with registration requirements twice in 2009 and once in 2010, serving an additional sentence of just under six years and 10 months. He was released from prison on October 1, 2017.
School Bus, ECUA Truck Collide On ‘Narrow’ Highway 164 Near McDavid
June 29, 2022
An ECUA sanitation truck and an Escambia County school bus were involved in a collision on Highway 164 near McDavid on Tuesday.
The mirrors on both vehicles struck as they passed in opposite directions. The mirrors on the ECUA were slammed into a window, shattering it. The mirror on the bus was moved, but essentially undamaged.
Highway 164 has, by our unofficial measurement, has travel lanes that are about 8-feet wide in the area.
Neither driver was faulted or cited by the Florida Highway Patrol; the crash was blamed on the narrow road width.
There were no injuries. There were no passengers in either vehicle.
Exactly four months before Tuesday’s crash on Highway 164, a school bus and a pickup truck collided in almost the same spot on February 28. The road width was also blamed for the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Editor’s note: The mirror on the school bus had been pulled back into position prior to these photos.
Farm Share Food Distribution Saturday In Walnut Hill
June 29, 2022
Justified Incarcerated Ministries will be hosting a Farm Share Food distribution for the Walnut Hill community on Saturday, July 2.
The food distribution will begin at 9 a.m. at the Walnut Hill Community Center at 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
