Deadline To Qualify For Century Council Is Noon Today
July 30, 2010
Noon today is the deadline for candidates to qualify for three seats on the Century Town Council.
Council seats three, four and five are on the ballot in Century this year — the positions are currently held by Hawkins, Gary Riley and Sharon Scott. Scott has announced that she is not seeking re-election.
Hawkins has qualified to run as an incumbent, and Annie Savage has prefiled for Scott’s seat. As of the close of business Thursday, no other candidates had thrown their hat into the political ring.
The qualifying fee for a Century Town Council seat is $48 — that’s $33 for one percent of the salary and a $15 qualifying fee. There is no petition qualification method for Century offices that would allow a candidate to qualify with voter signatures.
NorthEscambia.com will publish a final, complete Century candidate list once it is available.
The primary election for Century’s council is scheduled for October 5. The charter states that the primary election should be 30 days prior to the November election, but that date falls on Sunday, October 10. As a result, the date was moved to October 5. Per Florida statute, registration books will close on September 7 because September 6th is Labor Day.
The general election/runoff is scheduled for November 9, the second Tuesday in November. Registration books will close on October 11.
There will be one change for candidates this year for Century’s council. The Council has approved an ordinance that will require candidates to file their campaign finance disclosure statements electronically on the Internet as is done in other races in the county — as opposed to filling out a paper form.
Hot Weekend: Heat Index Climbing To 110
July 29, 2010
Unseasonably hot temperatures are expected for Friday and into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
High pressure and a hot air mass will continue to dominate our weather into the weekend. With high humidity, heat index values are expected to rise to 103 to 107 on Thursday and 106 to 110 on Friday.
This heat will taper off somewhat Saturday and Sunday over the area as an upper trough starts to form over the eastern Seaboard.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Thursday: Sunny in the morning becoming partly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 90s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Highest heat index readings 105 to 107 in the afternoon.
- Thursday night: Mostly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the lower 70s. North winds around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Friday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 90s. North winds around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 40 percent. Heat index readings 106 to 109.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 70s. West winds around 5 mph in the evening becoming light. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent. Heat index readings 105 to 110.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Sunday: Partly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Heat index readings 105 to 108.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Monday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Heat index readings 105 to 109.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Highest heat index readings around 105 in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent. Heat index readings 105 to 109.
Covenant Hospice Offers Local Grief Program
July 29, 2010
Covenant Hospice will offer a five-week grief support group at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church in Cantonment.
The support group begins July 29 and continues through September 2 from 9-10:30 a.m. each Thursday except August 19. The support group is free and open to the community, but registration is required. To register, or for more information, call Betsy DeBellis at (850) 202-5930 ext. 1903.
Gonzalez United Methodist Church is located at 2026 Pauline Street.
Covenant Hospice is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate services to patients and loved ones during times of life-limiting illnesses. The focus of Covenant Hospice is to enable its patients to live as fully and comfortably as possible, to provide dignified palliative care, to assist patients’ loved ones in coping with end-of-life issues and the eventual death of the patient, and to improve care for all patients at the end of their lives by example and education.
Blood Drive Today At IP
July 28, 2010
Area residents will have the opportunity to give the gift of life today at International Paper in Cantonment
The Northwest Florida Bloodmobile will be at IP from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
When you donate to Northwest Florida Blood Services, you can save the life of a hospital patient in northwest Florida. Northwest Florida Blood Services is the exclusive provider of blood products to more than 24 area hospitals who need 175 blood donations a day. Each donation can save up to three lives.
Requirements for giving blood are below.
- Donors must be in generally good health
- At least 17 years of age, without permission. 16-year olds are now allowed to donate with permission granted by parents or legal guardians.
- 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.
New Oil Leak In The Gulf After Boat Hits Oil Platform
July 27, 2010
Fox News is reporting that there is a new oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico after a boat hit an oil well platform early this morning. A valve was sheared off, allowing pressurized gas and light leak.
The oil is reportedly spewing about 20 feet into the air. The Coast Guard and other officials are responded to the scene and attempting to set up booming operations.
The incident was near Bayou St. Dennis, Lousiana.
Free Today: New Orleans Saints Tour Comes To Escambia
July 27, 2010
The New Orleans Saints “Championship Tour” is coming to the Pensacola Civic Center on Tuesday.
The tour will feature extensive displays celebrating the Saints’ 31-17 Super Bowl XLIV victory over the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010 — including the Lombardi Trophy.
The Championship Tour will be at the Pensacola Civic Center Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
“Our fans are the inspiration and foundation of our success, it is important to me and our organization to share these symbols of our Championship with as many of our fans throughout the Gulf South as possible,” said Saints Owner Tom Benson.
“We are excited to share the Vince Lombardi Trophy and our World Championship with the most deserving fans in all of sports,” said Saints Owner/Executive Vice-President Rita Benson LeBlanc. “Nowhere is the bond between a team and its fans stronger than with the Saints and our fans in the entire Gulf South region. We are very proud of the positive attention this Championship has brought our city, state and region and encourage all of our fans to come celebrate their Championship with us.”
Among the notable displays that will be included on the tour will be: The Vince Lombardi Trophy, a Super Bowl display featuring Saints’ MVP QB Drew Brees’ Super Bowl helmet and jersey as well as other memorabilia from Super Bowl XLIV, a highlight video, the Halas Trophy (won in the team’s 31-28 NFC Championship against the Minnesota Vikings) and photos taken by official team photographer Michael C. Hebert.
There will also be displays featuring the official Super Bowl ring, and an area to view memorabilia celebrating the playing career of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee LB Rickey Jackson. In addition there will be exhibition areas including the presence of the official cheerleading squad of the Saints, the Saintsations, and an interactive element featuring Saints Experience games, as well as displays by the Marines and officially licensed Saints memorabilia and ticket information.
Hot, Humid, PM Rain
July 27, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95.
Traffic Watch: Delays On Highway 4 At Canoe Creek
July 26, 2010
Traffic delays are expected this morning on Highway 4 at Canoe Creek.
Traffic will be stopped or reduced to one lane as Florida Department of Transportation contractor Volkert Engineering performs bridge inspections. The work is expected to continue for a few hours.
Canoe Creek is located between Bratt and Byrneville.
Rainy Days; Humid Nights
July 26, 2010
There’s more rain in our Monday forecast, with a chance that some of the storms may produce heavy rainfall.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 96. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Saturday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Today: Last Chance To Register To Vote In Florida Primary
July 26, 2010
Today is the last day to register to vote or change party affiliation for those who wish to cast a ballot in the August 24, 2010, primary election.
Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election. New registrations and party changes must be completed on or before July 26th in order for them to be effective for the August 24th election. Florida is a closed primary state, which means that in order to vote in a party’s primary, you must be a registered member of that party before 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 four digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Mail the completed application no later than July 26th 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. Or, call (595-3900) or e-mail the Elections Office (soe@escambiavotes.com) to have a form mailed to you.
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 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 9th at four locations throughout Escambia County. For more information, including sample ballots, visit EscambiaVotes.com.
In Santa Rosa County, mail changes with a July 26 postmark to 6495 U.S. 90, Suite F, Milton, FL 32570; or fax to (850) 983-1829. Or make changes in person at the Santa Rosa County Administrative Office Complex, 6495 U.S. 90 in Milton or at the South Santa Rosa Service Center, 5841 U.S. 98 near the Gulf Breeze Zoo.