Senate Takes Up Prison Privatization
February 13, 2012
Today, the Florida Senate will take up or down votes on pending amendments, and try to get a bill on privatizing prisons in most of South of Florida ready for a floor vote.
The privatization bill, a top priority of Senate leadership, was brought to the floor earlier this session, but pulled from consideration when it began to appear that leadership couldn’t get the measure passed.
An amendment that remains pending would shelve the issue for a year in favor of a study. That amendment will be up for consideration on Monday – which would put the bill in place for a vote on Tuesday.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos has said the vote count on the issue is “very close.”
The proposal calls for private prison operators to save 7 percent by running prisons in 18 South Florida counties, about 30 facilities in all. Opponents have said that the plan won’t save that much money.
Brrr…Freezing Cold Continues
February 12, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Scattered showers after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Monday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 45. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 39.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Hard Freeze Warning, Low About 20 Tonight
February 11, 2012
There is a hard freeze warning in effect for tonight. Lower twenties are forecast over the entire region, with some upper teens possible inland at other normally colder locations.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind around 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Wind chill values between 10 and 20 early. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast.
- Monday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Isolated showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
- Saturday: Isolated showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
No Burning Today: Red Flag Warning, Forestry Suspends Burn Permits
February 11, 2012
Officials with Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center will not issue burn authorizations for today, based on the predicted weather conditions. There is a Red Flag Warning in effect.
The forecast calls for extremely low relative humidity – in the teens in some areas – as well as high winds gusting close to 30 mph. This combination increases the likelihood of a burn escaping and spreading rapidly. While the local drought index is relatively low, smaller, flashy fuels (small brush, dead grass) will dry rapidly and burn readily, according to Forestry officials.
Conditions should improve Sunday and officials will monitor and determine when it is safe to begin issuing permits again.
Residents are strongly urged not to burn any yard debris over the weekend due to the Red Flag Warning.
Ball Registration: Molino, Cantonment, Century, Atmore, Miracle League
February 11, 2012
Baseball and softball registrations will continue today for Molino, Century, Cantonment, Atmore and the Pensacola Miracle League. Today is the final day of registration for the Pensacola Miracle League and Atmore. Details for each are below.
Molino Ballpark registration will be held every Saturday until February 18 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Don Sutton Ballpark. Cost is $50 for the first child, $45 for the second and $40 for the third from the same family. A copy of the child’s birth certificate should be brought to registration. Ages 3-16.
Cantonment Baseball and Softball registration will he held every Saturday until February 18 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Cantonment Ballpark, 681 Well Line Road.
Ages 4 and up. Registration is $80 for the first child, $70 for the second, $60 for the third and additional child per family.
Teams include:
- T-ball 4-6
- Coach Pitch 7-8
- Minors 9-10
- Majors 11-12
- Pony 13-14
Girls’ softball is returning for 15-18 year olds. (Those interested would need to attend a board meeting at 6:30 on Tuesday nights at the park). For more information, call Amy Johnson at (850) 982-6676 or email jacccc6@yahoo.com.
Century League registration for baseball, softball, pre-t and t-ball will be held each Saturday in February from 10 a.m. until noon for ages 3-18 at Showalter Park. The cost is $45 for the first child, $40 for the second sibling and $35 for the third. A birth certificate copy should be brought to registration.
Pensacola Miracle League registration will be held from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, February 11 at the ballpark, 500 East Nine Mile Road across from Hillcrest Baptist Church. The season begins Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 and continues for six weeks. Friday night games will be under the lights. “Buddies” are also needed for the kids. More info: miracleleaguepensacola.org
Atmore Babe Ruth Softball — Tryouts will be Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the softball fields at Tom Byrne Park. Players may register on the day of tryouts. The registration fee will be $45 for one child and $40 each for the second and additional children. A copy of the player’s birth certification should be brought to registration.
Saturday Is The Deadline For Public Comment On Molino FSA Office Closure
February 11, 2012
Today is the deadline for the public to comment on the proposed closure of the Molino Farm Services Agency office.
The Molino FSA Office administers farm commodities, crop insurance, credit, environmental conservation and emergency assistance for farmers and ranchers in Escambia County. On January 9, the USDA announced the proposed closure of the office, forcing the farmers to drive to Milton or Brewton for FSA services.
Tim Manning, FSA state executive director, said that offices with two or less employees and offices that were located within 20 miles of another office were targeted for closure. Manning (pictured left) said that on December 23, the day chosen as a “snapshot” of the Molino office, it met both criteria for closure.
But multiple farmers and producers were quick to point out that it is more than 20 miles to drive from Molino, or areas like Walnut Hill or Nokomis, to the FSA office in Milton because of limited routes across the Escambia River. And the criteria for two or fewer employees, many producers said, was met only because a third employee in the office had recently retired.
The major savings from closing the Molino Farm Service Agency will be about $16,000 per year in rent to the Escambia County Farm Bureau for office space along with telephone service. All other utilities are included in the monthly rent.
The Farm Service Agency will continue to accept written comments from the public concerning the Molino office closure through today . Comments can be emailed to mark.cotrell@fl.usda.gov or submitted by mail. To download a comment form, click here.
To read about a recently public meeting on the closure, click here.
Hard Freeze Watch Issued
February 10, 2012
There is a hard freeze watch in effect for Saturday night, with lows forecast to drop to the lower 20’s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers. Patchy fog before midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a north wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. North wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 52. Wind chill values between 10 and 20 early. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming southeast between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Isolated showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers. Cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday Night: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday: Scattered showers. Cloudy, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Cooler Weather Forecast
February 9, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Isolated showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday Night: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a north wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 51. North wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Isolated showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday Night: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
- Wednesday: Isolated showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
It’s Jim Allen Elementary Spirit Night At Chick-fil-A
February 9, 2012
Community members will have the opportunity to enjoy a meal out tonight and help Jim Allen Elementary School at the same time.
It’s Jim Allen Chick-fil-A Spirit Night from 5-8 p.m. at the restaurant on Nine Mile Road (near Target) in Pensacola. Jim Allen Elementary will receive a percentage of sales during the evening.
Principal Rachel Watts and Curriculum Coordinator Maury Cowart will be making milkshakes during the event.
Saturday Double Dedications: Health And Hope Clinic, Lloyd Barrow Field
February 9, 2012
Church Street in Century will be busy Saturday morning with two dedications planned — Lloyd Barrow Field and the Century Health and Hope Clinic.
The Town of Century will dedicate Lloyd Barrow Field next to the First Baptist Church of Century at 9 a.m. The little league field is being renamed in honor of Lloyd Barrow, a longtime Century little league coach (1958-1973). Barrow was instrumental in the construction of the park in October 2000.
The Pensacola Bay Baptist Association will dedicate their Century Health and Hope Clinic at the corner of Church and Mayo streets at 10 a.m. The clinic is available to provide health care for the uninsured in North Escambia at no cost as an outreach ministry of PBBA.
Both events are open to the public.
Pictured: The soon-t0-be named Lloyd Barrow Field (top) and the Century Health and Hope Clinic (below) on Church Street in Century. Both will be dedicated Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
