County Looks To Increase Fees For Little League Ball, Lake Stone, Traffic Tickets
September 1, 2009
Playing little league ball, camping at Lake Stone, using some parks, or getting a traffic ticket may cost you more in the future — the Escambia County Commission will consider an increase in several fees and fines to help the county’s ailing budget.
Currently, athletic associations that use county-owned parks for little league sports do not pay for the use of the parks. Instead, the athletic associations maintain and manage the parks in exchange for their use. But under a proposal to be considered by the Escambia County Commission Thursday night, athletic associations would be assessed a fee of $10 per child, per sport after October 1.
The cost to rent softball and soccer fields for touranment play would increase from $25 to $35, plus tax, under the plan, and building fees — for buildings like press boxes and concession stands — would increase from $25 to $35. Also, there would be a $50 charge for day games and a $75 charge for night games for local high schools to use the Brosnaham Park Soccer Complex.
The rental for park pavilions will increase under the proposal from $25 to $30, plus tax.
If the measure is approved, camping at Lake Stone near Century would also get more expensive. Escambia County residents would pay $16 per night instead of $13, and out of county residents would see the cost jump from $15 to $18. Senior citizens rates would also increase by $3.
Sandy Jennings, bureau chief for the county’s Neighborhoods/Community Services Bureau, estimates that the new fees would add another $74,580 per year to the county’s bottom line.
Another proposal to be considered by the commission will make non-criminal traffic tickets more expensive. The play would increase the surcharge accessed on the tickets from $15 to $30. The increase would net an estimated $450,000 per year for the county. The funds would be used to offset general fund dollars currently used for the maintenance and upkeep of facilities used by the state court system.
The Escambia County Commission will consider the proposals at their meeting Thursday night.
Mothers Of Preschoolers Group Forming
September 1, 2009
A group for the mothers of preschool age children in North Escambia and Escambia County, Ala., will hold an organizational meeting today.
Mothers of Preschoolers — known as MOPS — is for women with a child from birth through kindergarten.
“It’s a time when your children are being taken care of by other loving people and you get some amazing mommy time,” according to organizers. “We eat, visit, listen to a speaker, have a discussion time about the speaker’s topic, and then do a creative activity. The speaker will talk about practical things in your life, everything from budgeting to dealing with depression.”
MOPS will meet regularly on the first and third Tuesday of the month, beginning today from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Meetings will be held at Grace Fellowship Church in Atmore. For more information, contact Janalyn Pomeroy at (251) 937-5793 or mops.gracefellowship@gmail.com. Or visit website, mopsofatmore.wordpress.com.
Blood Drive In Walnut Hill Today
August 31, 2009
A blood drive will be held Monday morning in Walnut Hill.
Northwest Florida Blood Services will be at the Walnut Hill Farm Supply from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday. The store is located at the intersection of South Highway 99 and Highway 97.
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.
Trees Downed, Flooding From Afternoon Storms
August 30, 2009
Afternoon storms have left roads flooded in Century, and trees down across Flomaton and Century.
Several trees were reported down on Fannie Road on the Florida side of the state line.
Radar indicates that up to three inches of rain have fallen in the Century, Flomaton and Pollard areas this afternoon.
Strong Thunderstorm Advisory
August 30, 2009
..A strong thunderstorm will affect Escambia and Santa Rosa
counties…
At 118 PM CDT…National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Flomaton…moving east at 20 mph.
This thunderstorm will affect areas in and around…
Wahl…Osaka…Pollard…Jay..
CDT.The primary threats from this storm are small hail…frequent
lightning…and wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph. Winds this strong could
bring down dead or diseased trees and large limbs resulting in
serious injury or property damage. Local loss of electrical power may
result from downed power lines. Exercise extreme caution when
outdoors during such strong winds…or seek shelter in a safe home or
building until the storm has passed.
This storm could produce rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches in a short
period of time…resulting in brief ponding of water around low
lying and poor drainage areas. Remember…do not drive your vehicle
into water covered roadways. The depth may be too great to allow a
safe crossing.
Time Is Running Out To Save Before Driver’s License, Tag Fees Double
August 30, 2009
Time is running out to renew your tag or driver’s license before the fees more than double next week.. The fees for vehicle registrations, renewals, titles and driver licenses are all going up, some more than double, on Tuesday.
So many people tried to avoid the fee increase on Friday that Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles computer systems crashed. Tax Collector Janet Holley’s office issued rain checks to those unable to renew due to the computer problems, and they will do the same on Monday. The rain checks are good for the current lower fees until September 10.
The initial registration fee – the fee paid for a vehicle registration on an additional vehicle not replacing a current vehicle — will jump from $100 to $225.
Tag and registration fees will go up as much as 66 percent; the exact amount depends on the weight of the vehicle. Transfer fees for titles will more than double from $29.75 to $75.75. Motorcycle registrations will also increase, from $24.60 to $41.65.
Reinstating a suspended driver license will increase, late payment fees on driver license renewals go up 15-fold, from $1 to $15, and the cost of the original driver license will go from $32.25 to $54.25. Renewing a driver license goes from $25.25 to $54.25.
But there’s a chance to avoid some of the fee increases for some Florida residents.
If a registrant’s birthday falls between August through November, they can renew by Monday at the current rates. Persons with December birthdays will not have the opportunity to renew early and save.
“There’s that chance for some people to renew now and save,” Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley said. “It is like a two-for-one deal if you can renew now and you do.”
Holley stressed that the increases were mandated by the state legislature for all Florida residents; the increases are not specific to Escambia County.
There is also a chance to save on the driver license renewal fees. A valid Florida driver license can be renewed up to 18 months in advance.
For more information, contact Holley’s office at (850) 438-6500 ext. 252.
Several Churches Plan Singings, Joint Meetings And Fun Today
August 30, 2009
There are several special events at North Escambia area churches today, ranging from fifth Sunday night singings, to joint gatherings with ice cream to a family fun day.
Several churches from North Escambia will gather at Cottage Hill United Methodist Church on Williams Ditch Road at 6:30 Sunday, August 30 for a time of fellowship, singing and ice cream. Churches that will be participating are Cottage Hill, McDavid ,Byrneville, Lathram Chapel, Farm Hill, Allen Memorial, Aldersgate and New Hope United Methodist. All are welcome to come and enjoy the fellowship.
The Walnut Hill Church of God in Christ invites everyone to be a part of a Family and Friends Day to begin at 3:00 Sunday afternoon. The church is located at 52 North Cypress Street in Walnut Hill.
A Fifth Sunday Night Singing will take place at Highland Baptist Church in Molino with the Strings of Praise violin ensemble. The singing begins at 4:30 and a covered dish supper will follow.
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will hold a Fifth Sunday Night Singing at 5 p.m. The featured singers will be the Hendersons and the Chastang Family. Refreshments will follow in the church fellowship hall.
Benefit Lunch Today In Davisville For Leukemia Patient
August 29, 2009
A benefit lunch will be held today for a local man that is battling leukemia.
Dry Springs Community Church will hold a hamburger and hotdog cookout for Buddy Crews today at the Davisville Community Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch plates will be $5.
For more information, contact Kim at (850) 712-6588 or Melinda at (850) 327-6271. Mr. Crews in UAB Hospital undergoing treatment for leukemia.
Northwest Escambia Football Starts Today
August 29, 2009
The 2009 season gets underway for Northwest Escambia on Saturday.
NWE will be home at Ernest Ward Middle School’s field against Pace Blue. The Mini-Mites will play at 9 a.m., followed by the Mites at 10:30 and the Midgets at noon.
Northwest Escambia will be off on Saturday, September 5 and back in action on September 12 at Myrtle Grove.
Click here for the 2009 NWE Football schedule (pdf).
Meet The Tribal Beat Tonight, Get Sneak Preview Of New Music
August 28, 2009
The public will have the opportunity to “Meet the Tribal Beat” tonight at the Northview High School and get a sneak preview of the band’s music for the 2009 football season.
Under the direction of new Band Director Scott Slay, Assistant Band Director Tadd Corder and Drum Major Lisa Moretz, there is new music in store from the Tribal Beat this year. Tonight’s Meet the Tribal Beat will showcase some of that music.
Meet The Tribal Beat will take place at 7:00 tonight at the Northview High School stadium. Admission is free. Concessions will be available.
Meet The Tribal Beat Tonight, Get Sneak Preview Of New Music