Special Session Opened Today To Redraw Congressional Districts
August 7, 2014
In what could be a fast-moving process, Florida lawmakers today started a special session to redraw congressional districts.
The unusual session stems from a ruling last month by Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis that a congressional map approved in 2012 violated requirements of the state Constitution. The House and Senate met briefly Thursday and were later expected to hold a joint committee meeting to hear presentations from attorneys and to take public input.
House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said a revised map would be released Thursday and that members could propose amendments Friday during a committee meeting. The full House and Senate are scheduled to meet Monday.
“We could be here for part or all of next week, but we will be here as long as it takes to get it right,” Weatherford said.
Meanwhile, groups that challenged the 2012 map issued a lengthy letter calling on the Legislature to offer an “open, transparent, and apolitical process that it promised, but did not provide, during the initial reapportionment effort.”
by The News Service of Florida
Tax Collector Food Drive For Manna Ends Today
August 6, 2014
Today is the last day for a food drive at all Escambia County Tax Collector offices, including Molino.
The employees of Janet Holley, Escambia County Tax Collector, are supporting Manna Food Pantries by sponsoring a food drive to help them restock their pantry from the April flood. Their goal is to collect 2,000 pounds of food to help Manna meet the needs of the hungry in our area.
Nonperishable food items can be dropped off at any of the three convenient tax collector locations Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Manna Food Pantries welcomes any food donations, but their most needed items are peanut butter, canned fruit, canned tuna and chicken, and canned dinners.
Escambia Count Tax Collector offices are located at:
- Molino – 6440 Hwy. 95-A North, Ste. A
- Marcus Pointe – 6451 North “W” Street
- Downtown – 213 Palafox Place
Free Movie Tonight In Molino – ‘God’s Not Dead’
August 6, 2014
Highland Baptist Church in Molino is presenting a free movie night at 6:30 tonight. The church will host a showing of the 2014 film “God’s Not Dead”, a Pure Flix Film.
In the movie, present-day college freshman and devout Christian, Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), finds his faith challenged on his first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo). Radisson begins class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that first day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words “God Is Dead” on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh find himself at a crossroads, having to choose between his faith and his future.
Learn To Crochet At The Molino Library
August 6, 2014
A crochet class begins this week at the Molino Branch Library.
Dorothy C. Lee, Escambia County Family and Consumer Sciences extension agent will teach the basic techniques of crochet in three lessons for teens and adults at 6 p.m. on Thursday August 7, August 14 and August 21 at the Molino Branch Library.
The class size is limited; contact the Molino Branch Library to register at (850) 435-1760.
Northview Mini Cheer Camp Begins This Afternoon
August 5, 2014
The Northview High School cheerleaders will host their annual mini-cheerleading camp beginning this afternoon.
The camp will be held August 5 from 4-6 p.m. and August 6 from 1-3 p.m. Registration is $25 for the camp or $35 for the camp and a shirt. The camp is open to anyone age three through the eighth grade. Mini-cheerleaders will admitted into the first Northview football home game for free and cheer the entire first quarter with the varsity NHS cheerleaders.
NorthEscambia.com Phone Service Outage
August 4, 2014
This is an archived story. The outage has been repaired.
Due to the cut fiber cable in Walnut Hill, our 327 number at NorthEscambia.com is out of service. Call William’s cell phone if you have the number, or send an email (news@northescambia.com) or a Facebook message. For more info on the fiber cut, click here.
Tonight’s Century Council Meeting Canceled
August 4, 2014
Tonight’s regular meeting of the Century Town Council has been canceled due to a lack of a quorum, according to Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez.
The council will meet next on their regularly schedule date of August 18 at 7 p.m.
New Walmart Offers VIP Sneak Peek (With Gallery)
August 4, 2014
The new Atmore Walmart held a “VIP” open house Sunday night to give local community leaders and employee families a sneak peak at the new 70,000 square foot store that opens this Wednesday.
The event included welcoming speeches from Walmart store manager Joe Ferguson and regional representatives, traditional dance performances by the Poarch Creek Indians, refreshments and a store tour.
The new Atmore Walmart will open after a brief ribbon cutting ceremony at 7:30 Wednesday morning. The store, which employees about 100 people, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Pictured top: A Poarch Creek Indian dancer performs Sunday night during a VIP event at the new Atmore Walmart which opens Wednesday. Pictured inset: Manager Joe Ferguson welcomes guests. Pictured below: Cash registers were empty and shelves were awaiting fresh bakery and produce items Sunday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Blue Health Exchange Customers To See Rate Hike
August 4, 2014
Florida Blue plans to increase rates by an average of 17.6 percent next year for customers who buy coverage through the federal Affordable Care Act’s health-insurance exchange, Kaiser Health News reported.
The insurer, formerly known as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, pointed to a large number of older adults buying coverage through the exchange. Those adults often have higher medical costs than younger, healthier people.
But the Jacksonville-based insurer also noted that premiums in the individual-insurance market have seen a series of double-digit increases in recent years, regardless of the exchange.
“In the individual market, this type of average rate increase is typical,” Florida Blue CEO Patrick Geraghty told Kaiser Health News. State insurance regulators are expected to release rate information for all companies next week.
Back To School Sale Tax Holiday Info; School Supply Lists
August 3, 2014
School starts Monday, August 18 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
CLICK HERE for printable school supply lists from each elementary school and middle school in Escambia County, plus the North Escambia area schools in Santa Rosa County and Escambia County, AL.
CLICK HERE for weekend school supply sales tax information for both Florida and Alabama.