Today Is Last Day To Pay Your Escambia Property Taxes
March 31, 2008
Today, March 31, is the last day to pay your real estate and tangible personal property taxes without a penalty. All unpaid taxes will become delinquent at midnight tonight.
A penalty of three percent for real estate and one and a half percent for tangible taxes will be assessed beginning tomorrow, according to Janet Holley, Escambia County tax collector. As of one week ago, over $47 million in county taxes remained unpaid…that’s 17% of the entire tax roll.
Payments will be accepted without penalty if:
- mailed with postmark of March 31
- made on the tax collector web site by midnight March 31
- made on the after hours automated (800) 601-1055 phone line by midnight March 31
- left in a 24 drop box at any tax collector office, including Century and Cantonment, by midnight March 31
You may check the status of your taxes and pay online at escambiataxcollector.com or by phone at (800) 601-1055. For more information, call the a tax collector’s office at 438-6500 ext. 252.
The Century office is located in the Billy G. Ward Courthouse at 7500 North Century Boulevard and is open today from 8:30 until 5:00.
The Cantonment office is located at 470 South Highway 29 in the old Winn Dixie shopping center. It is also open today from 8:30 until 5:00.
Blood Drive Now In Walnut Hill
March 31, 2008
A blood drive is going on today the Walnut Hill Farm Supply at the corner of South Highway 99 and Highway 97.
The Northwest Florida Blood Center Bloodmobile will be open until 12:30 this afternoon.
Donors must be in generally good health, and:
- At least 17 years of age
- Must bring picture ID
- Weigh at least 110 lbs
- Free of infection, fever or flu symptoms, for 3 days
- No cancer within the last 5 years
- No antibiotics within the last 48 hours
- No tattoos within the past 12 months
- No chest pain, heart disease, heart surgery (Requires written physician release with diagnosis)
- No history of viral hepatitis
- Cannot have lived in France for 5 years or more between 1980 and the present
- Cannot have lived or visited in the UK for a total of 3 months or more from 1980 to 1996
- Cannot have received a blood transfusion in the UK between 1980 and the present
- Military personnel (current and former), and their dependents, who spent time in military bases in northern Europe during 1980-1990, or southern Europe during 1980-1996, for 6 months or more
- All military personnel (active & reserve) that are returning from Iraq, are deferred for a period of 1 year after the last date on location in that country.
For more info, call 473-3853 or visit the Northwest Florida Blood Center website at www.nfbcblood.org.
Learn About Getting A Habitat For Humanity Home Tonight In Molino
March 27, 2008
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity will be hold an orientation seminars for prospective homeowners at 7:00 tonight at Aldersgate Methodist Church in Molino.
Habitat for Humanity hopes to build six homes for deserving people in the Molino area, with the first Habitat family possibly moving into their new home by Christmas. And you can learn how to get a Habitat home tonight at a meeting in Molino.
Janet Westlake, Habitat’s volunteer in charge of church relations, told NorthEscambia.com that the first house, the “Methodist House”, will be a joint project of Aldersgate, Cottage Hill, Allen Memorial, Lathram Chapel, McDavid and Farm Hill United Methodist churches.
“We are using church groups to sponsor building the first house in Molino,” Westlake said. “Six Methodist churches will together pay to build this house.”
A Habitat home is not a free handout; home recipients must have the ability to repay a small mortgage payment each month. That money goes into the program to build future Habitat homes.
Qualification is based upon three primary criteria: the ability to pay the mortgage, the need for adequate housing and the willingness to partner with “sweat equity” of 300 hours of volunteer time in the construction of their own home or in community service with another community organization. Income guidelines are in the table to the left.
For more information on Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, visit www.pensacolahabitat.org or call 434-5456.
The homes will be located on donated lots on Schaag Road off County Road 95A in Molino.
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian ministry whose purpose is to build homes and improve communities in partnership with low and very low income families in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.
Century Branch Library To Celebrate One Year This Afternoon
March 25, 2008
The Century Branch Library will celebrate its first year with an open house at 2:00 this afternoon.
“I’m very excited about what we have done in a year,” Librarian Patricia Rigel told NorthEscambia.com. “We continue to get new people using the library all the time.”
During the year since the Century Branch Library opened its doors, 815 new borrowers have received library cards in Century. Rigel estimates that 1,800 to 2,100 people use the branch every month. Of those people visiting the library, about 340 per month on average use the library’s computers.
The popularity of the computers has led to a decision to offer beginning computer classes at the Century Branch Library, she said. Classes are expected to being by May.
This public is invited to attend this afternoon’s open house at 2:00 at the Century Branch Library. The library is located at 7991 North Century Boulevard.
Pictured above: Children enjoy a recent children’s program at the Century Branch Library. Pictured below: The library under construction.
Pipeline Safety Meeting Tuesday Night
March 25, 2008
A pipeline safety awareness meeting will be held Tuesday night in Pensacola, and you are invited if “you put a shovel in the ground or operate any time of excavating equipment”.
At least two pipelines transverse the North Escambia area, as indicated by the map pictured above.
The free program will be held tonight at 6:30 at the Langley Bell 4-H Center at 4810 West Nine Mile Road in Pensacola.
“Whether it’s a natural gas, petroleum or water pipeline, a break can cause considerable property damage. In the worst case, breaks can result in injuries and even deaths,” a press release says.
The program will include a free buffet dinner. It is sponsored by Energy Services of Pensacola, Genesis Pipeline USA LP and Gulf South Pipeline Company LP.
At the program, key points will include:
- Who to call to locate pipelines in the area
- State and federal laws governing excavation around pipelines
- Indicators of a pipeline break and release
- How to recognize a pipeline emergency
- Proper first response guidelines to follow if a pipeline incident occurs
For more information, call (800) 982-8752 or email sarah@pipelinegroup.com.
Many Special Services Planned In North Escambia This Easter Sunday
March 23, 2008
Numerous services commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ will be held across the North Escambia area today and Sunday
There will also activities all weekend at the Green Acres Farm in Davisville. Click here for that story.
Molino Area
- Grace Valley Baptist Church: Spring Revival starting Easter morning 10:30 a.m. Pastor Noah Broughton from Somerset, Kentucky, will be with us Sunday, 10:30 am
and 6:30 p.m. and March 24-28 7:00 p.m. More info? 587-5787 - Aldersgate Methodist Church: Easter morning worship at Aldersgate at 8:30 and 10:30.
- Victory Assembly of God: Easter morning worship service at 10:30.
- CrossFaith Church: 10:00 Easter Sunday morning worship, children’s Easter egg hunt during morning service.
- Highland Baptist Church: Easter morning service at 10:45. Easter egg hunt during Sunday School for Toddlers-Fifth grade at 9:30.
Walnut Hill/Bratt Area
- First Baptist Church of Bratt: Easter Services, Sunday morning at 10:30 following Sunday School at 9:15 (no 8:30 service). The Worship Choir will perform the Easter musical “I’ve Seen Jesus”.
- Walnut Hill Baptist Church: Easter Cantata will be presented during 11:00 worship service.
McDavid Area
- McDavid United Methodist Church: Easter service starting at 9 a.m. with Sunday School after the morning service. During our morning service we will also baptize one into the kingdom of God. Everyone is welcome to come and meet God who will accept you just as you are.
Century Area
- First Baptist Century: Easter morning worship services will be held at 10:45 Sunday morning.
Pictured above: Community Easter Sunrise Service this morning in Molino.
Theatre Group This Afternooon At Century Library
March 20, 2008
The Atlantic Coast Theatre for Youth will perform the Tortoise and the Hare at the Century Branch Library this afternoon at 3:30.
Aesop’s fable is given a fun updated twist in this new musical. Bunny Hare always wins every race, so how will Thomas Tortoise be able to compete. The famous sports reporter Howard “Crow”-sel will be there to call the play by play in this fantastic fable.
ACT For Youth is dedicated to bringing the art of theatre to children and families. Their mission is to create performances, workshops, and educational programs that inspire and encourage discussion, according to the group’s website.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library at 256-6217. Admission is free.
Happy National Agriculture Day
March 20, 2008
Today is National Agriculture Day, and the EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers along with the Escambia Farm Bureau directors will present FOCUS, Farmers Offering Consumers Untold Savings, outside the Escambia County Governmental Center Complex from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
This first-ever event will feature agricultural exhibits, farm equipment, and produce from area growers to educate citizens on locally produced agricultural goods and raise awareness of the industry in Escambia County. Representatives from the EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers, Escambia County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and Escambia County IFAS Extension Services will be on site to answer questions and educate citizens on the “untold savings” of having agricultural producers of food, clothing materials and timber in our community.
“Consumers take the relatively low cost of food, clothing, and lumber for granted and assume that the money that they spend goes directly to the farmer,” said Libbie Johnson, Escambia County agriculture extension agent. “Most consumers and elected officials are not fully aware of the amount and variety of agriculture that we have in this county and how agriculture benefits all.”
Have A Pizza Today, Help Molino Park
March 20, 2008
Participating Domino’s Pizza will donate a portion of their proceeds today to Molino Park Elementary School. In order for Molino Park to receive credit from your purchase, you will need to fill out a form available from your Molino Park student or from the school office. Then simply turn in the form to the store or delivery driver.
Snow Tonight Or Saturday AM? Maybe, But It Will Be Colder
March 7, 2008
The National Weather Service says there is an ever so slight chance of snow across the North Escambia area tonight. Yes…snow. But most likely, it will be a light, scattered rain event. If it does snow, only just a little accumulation is possible, the weather service says. But further to our north, say Evergreen to Montgomery, the chance of snow with some accumulation is much more likely.
Here is our official National Weather Service forecast:
Tonight
A chance of rain, mixing with snow after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.Saturday
A slight chance of rain and snow before 8am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 51. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
A freeze warning is in effect for tonight and a freeze watch for Saturday night. That freeze watch is likely to be upgraded to a freeze warning for Saturday night.
The above graphic from the National Weather Service shows the snow potential area for tonight.