Community Action Accepting Apps For Disaster Kits, Mowing Assistance
July 17, 2012
The Community Action Program Committee will take applications on Wednesday for free hurricane preparedness and lawn mowing assistance for those that qualify.
The program is for persons 55 or older that meet income guidelines (see below). The lawn mowing assistance is for those qualified individuals needed to comply with Escambia County Code Enforcement orders.
The applications will be accepted at 9:30 a.m. at Heritage Baptist Church, 3065 Highway 297A in Cantonment.
Applicants will need to bring:
- driver’s license (everyone 18 and older)
- public assistance – monthly amount (cash assistance and food stamps)
- current lease
- all income for the last 30 days (biweekly-last 2 pay stubs; weekly – last 4 pay stubs; monthly last pay stub)
- disability income/retirement income (award letter monthly payment)
- child support (last 30 days)
- self-employment (last 30 days)
- No income (notarized statement from financial supporter assisting with household expenses signed and dated)
Income guidelines for the program for those 55 and older is as follows:
Mosquito Spraying Planned Tonight In Cantonment Area
July 16, 2012
The Escambia County Mosquito Control Division plans to spray in the Cantonment area tonight from 6:30 until 10:00.
Spraying will occur in two areas, bounded by:
- Becks Lake Road, Old Chemstrand Road, Conference Road/Garman Road, Highway 95A/Highway 29
- Old Chemstrand Road, Boulder Creek Drive, Wiggins Lane, Highway 95A
The following information was released by the Escambia County Mosquito Control Division:
Mosquito control administration and operations teams have directed surveillance activity, identified target mosquito species and determined that today’s justified actions are warranted. Methods used to determine necessary fogging mission activity include dry ice-baited light traps, landing rate counts and receiving focally located service requests from the public.
Fogging mission hours vary by start and conclusion times, but generally adult mosquito pesticides are applied in the early evening hours. We ask residents to keep travel in these areas to a minimum during spray times.
For additional information or to request service, please contact the Mosquito Control Division during normal business hours at 937-2188.
PSC To Consider Potential Gulf Power Nuclear Plant Rate Increase
July 16, 2012
State regulators could on Tuesday decide a controversy about a potential Gulf Power nuclear power plant site in North Escambia.
The Florida Public Service Commission will consider a Gulf Power proposal to allow it to collect money from customers related to the purchase of 2,700 acres for a potential nuclear power plant near McDavid. The PSC earlier this year rejected a Gulf Power proposal to build site costs into base electric rates, but Gulf Power is trying to convince regulators to reverse that decision.
In June, the commission decided to put off a decision on the proposal until July 17 to allow more time to review some of the key issues.
Attorneys for consumers and business groups are fighting Gulf Power on the issue, with Joe McGlothlin, an attorney with the state Office of Public Counsel, telling the PSC in June that “you’ve heard it before”.
“An analysis of facts demonstrates Gulf Power doesn’t need the North Escambia site,” said McGlothlin, whose office represents consumers in utility issues.
But Gulf Power attorney Jeffrey Stone said last month that the North Escambia site is important to the utility because it could house a nuclear or other type of plant, is in the western part of Gulf’s service area and has good access to transportation.
“It’s the only property Gulf has that is suitable for all forms of future generation,” Stone said.
The proposal would have a small effect on customers’ bills — it would allow Gulf Power to collect slightly more than $2 million from customers in 2012, according to a company filing.
Commissioner Art Graham has expressed concerns about not allowing Gulf Power to collect money for the site. Graham said it is difficult to try to find land for nuclear-power plants, particularly if they are near residential areas, and he doesn’t “want to see this opportunity go by the wayside.”
“Residential intrusion is something you want to avoid at all costs,” Graham said.
But Graham, McGlothlin and PSC staff also pointed to questions about another undeveloped site that Gulf Power has long owned in Caryville. Graham said he is concerned about adding the Escambia County site to the rate base in addition to the Caryville site.
Last month, the PSC did approve a plan by Gulf Power Company to take advantage of low fuel costs and trim customers’ monthly electric bills by an average of nearly $10 a month. The change will be noticeable for customers of Pensacola-based utility as fuel costs make up a major portion of monthly bill. Residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity will see their bills drop from $126.53 to $116.61.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Pictured: Some of the property purchased by Gulf Power Company near McDavid that could potentially be used for a nuclear power plant in the coming years. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Today Is August Primary Voter Registration Deadline
July 16, 2012
Today is the last day to register to vote in the August 14 primary election. And the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office will be open extended hours – from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. – on Monday to accommodate citizens who wish to register to vote or change party affiliation.
Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election. New registrations must be completed on or before the end of the business day on July 16 in order for them to be effective for the August 14 election. Address changes can be made after the books close. If you are unsure of your registration status, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click “Am I Registered?”.
Escambia County citizens have several ways to register or update their record:
Online/By Mail: Visit EscambiaVotes.com and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License number, a valid Florida ID number, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Completed applications must be received no later than July 16 to: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601. Or, take the completed application to the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola. Also, to have a form mailed to you, call (595-3900) or e-mail the Elections Office (soe@escambiavotes.com).
In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available to pick up at many locations countywide. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit EscambiaVotes.com or call or e-mail the Elections Office.
For voters who wish to cast a ballot by mail (an absentee ballot), go to EscambiaVotes.com and complete the online request form, or call or e-mail the elections office. Early voting begins August 4 at several locations throughout Escambia County.
Rain Chances Continue
July 15, 2012
There’s a slight chance of more scattered showers and thunderstorms for this week; however, they are not forecast to be as widespread as Saturday’s rains.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the morning.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Pictured top: Dark clouds roll across Gobbler Road in Walnut Hill Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Storm Clouds Roll (With Forecast)
July 14, 2012
Heavy storm clouds rolled through the North Escambia area Saturday afternoon. Pictured are the the clouds moving across Gobbler Road in Walnut Hill.
- Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- This Afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Register Today: Cantonment, Flomaton Youth Football
July 14, 2012
Youth football registrations will continue today in Cantonment and Flomaton.
Cantonment Youth Football
Cantonment Youth Football registration will be held this morning at the ballpark from 10 a.m. until noon. Registration will continue July 28 and August 11.
Cost is $40 for all ages.
Flomaton Youth Football and Cheerleading
Flomaton Youth Football and Cheerleading sign-ups will be held this morning at Hurricane Park from 9 until 11 a.m.
Signups will continue July 28 and August 4. The fee is $50 for the first child and $45 for each additional sibling.
If the child has never played Flomaton Youth Football before, a birth certificate is required. Birth certificates are not required for cheerleaders.
It’s Blue Angels Airshow Weekend At Pensacola Beach
July 13, 2012
It’s the big Red, White and Blues Week on Pensacola Beach, with the Blue Angels’ annual air show taking place this weekend.
On Friday, the show is a full dress rehearsal from 11:30 until 2 p.m.. The Blue Angels fly at 2 p.m. On Saturday, the Pensacola Beach Air Show begins at 11:30, with the Blue Angels scheduled to fly at 2 p.m.
In additiona to the Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet, aircraft scheduled to take part in the show include: a Grumman Widgeon G-44 flown by Julian MacQueen, Prometheus flown by Skip Stewart, Team RV, and a MX2 flown by Gary Ward. There will also be Marine C-130 standing in for the famous Fat Albert; Fat Albert is out for a paint job.
Red Star and the Dragon–Dragon Aviation; Fat Albert, a C-130 Hercules; and the Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets.
Are you heading to the show? Send us your pictures! Email news@northescambia.com
Pictured top: Lt. John Hiltz, Blue Angel right wingman, flies an F/A-18 Hornet in the, “dirty configuration” during a practice flight demonstration over Pensacola Beach Thursday. Photo by by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Johnson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Summer Showers, Thunderstorms Likely
July 13, 2012
Showers and thunderstorms moved through the North Escambia area Friday afternoon, and there is chance of more rain for tonight and Saturday.
Pictured: A storm cloud rolls toward Flomaton just before 4:00 p.m. Friday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Pictured: A storm cloud rolls toward Flomaton Friday afternoon, as seen from Flomaton Small Engines. Photo by Jeremy Bondurant for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Basketball Camp Planned With Former NBA Coach
July 12, 2012
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will host a basketball camp this month.
The camp for children ages 8-14 will be held July 23-27 from 9 a.m. until noon at the church. Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach will teach kids the fundamentals of basketball and Biblical awareness.
Dutremble is a a retired coach and member of the International Basketball Hall of Fame. He career includes coaching at every level from high school to the NBA, and into international arenas, with a lifetime coaching record of 687-117 and seven national championships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” six times, and served as national team head coach to Belgium, Scotland, and Jordan. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving under Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, from 1979-83 and helping the team to three NBA championships with players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The cost $35 per student with scholarships available. For more information, contact Tim Hawsey at (850) 327-6529.