USPS Proposes Three Cent Increase In Cost Of Stamps
September 25, 2013
The U.S. Postal Service has announced proposed price changes, including an increase in the price of a first class letter from 46 cents to 49 cents. The proposed changes, which would go into effect in January, are intended to generate $2 billion in annual revenue for the Postal Service.
Other types of mail would also increase in cost:
- Letters (1 oz.) — 3-cent increase to 49 cents
- Letters additional ounces — 1-cent increase to 21 cents
- Letters to all international destinations (1 oz.) — $1.15
- Postcards — 1-cent increase to 34 cents
In a letter disseminated to customers today, Board of Governors Chairman Mickey Barnett described the “precarious financial condition” of the Postal Service and the “uncertain path toward enactment of postal reform legislation” as primary reasons for seeking price changes. He also indicated that the price adjustment is necessary in order to ensure that the Postal Service will be able to maintain and continue the development of postal services.
“Of the options currently available to the Postal Service to align costs and revenues, increasing postage prices is a last resort that reflects extreme financial challenges,” said Barnett in the letter. “However, if these financial challenges were alleviated by the timely enactment of laws that close a $20 billion budget gap, the Postal Service would reconsider its pricing strategy. We are encouraged by the recent introduction of comprehensive postal reform legislation in Congress, and despite an uncertain legislative process, we are hopeful that legislation can be enacted this year.”
Pictured top: Forever stamps. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Clayton Graduates From Basic Combat Training
September 23, 2013
Army Pvt. Jacob A. Clayton has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Clayton is the son of Brenda Garrett-McCall of Highway 95A, Molino, and grandson of Larry Garrett of Mobile, Ala.
He is a 2011 graduate of Northview High School in Bratt.
Realtors: Local Home Sales On The Upswing
September 23, 2013
Single-family home sales across Florida grew 12.5 percent in August compared to the same period a year earlier, the Florida Realtors reported Thursday, with the local market expanding at almost twice that rate.
In the Escambia-Santa Rosa market, new home sales were up 22.6 percent in August over last year, while local condo and townhouse sales were up 6.1 percent. The average home sale price in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties was up 4.7 percent from last year to $157,000.
The Realtors reported there were 20,933 sales closed statewide on existing single-family homes last month. The median sales price for single-family homes was $175,000, up 18.6 percent from a year earlier. That was down from the $179,500 median price on the 20,632 single-family homes that were sold statewide in July. The median sales price on single-family homes nationwide, based upon July numbers, is $214,000, up 13.5 percent from the prior year.
Free Family Movie Night To Feature ‘Despicable Me’
September 23, 2013
The Northwest Escambia Baseball Park and NorthEscambia.com are teaming up to bring you a free Family Movie Night. Mark your calendars now…on Saturday, October 19 at 7 p.m., we’ll bring you “Despicable Me” on the big screen.
Bring your blankets or chairs. No outside coolers; concessions will be available. This is a family event; no alcohol or inappropriate behavior will be tolerated.
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted toward the cost of the event for NWE’s 2014 baseball season.
Bradberry Park is located on Highway 99A in Walnut Hill, directly behind Ernest Ward Middle School.
Manna Food Pantries Celebrates 30th Birthday In A Big Way
September 22, 2013
Manna Food Pantries held their 30th Birthday Bash on Saturday.
The event raised over $33,000 for Manna, enough money to feed 6,400 more members of the local community from just a one-day event. The Birthday Bash included a barbecue, gourmet cake contest and two auctions.
Winners in the Gourmet Birthday Cake Contest were: first place Angel Cakes, second place Betty Weber, third place Cupcake Emporium, and the People’s Choice winner was Angel Cakes.
Pictured: Manna Food Pantries 30th Birthday Bash was held on Saturday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Burk Named Tate Homecoming Queen (With Homecoming Photo Gallery)
September 21, 2013
The Tate High School Aggies celebrated Homecoming 2013 Friday night.
Bailey Burk was crowned homecoming queen during an evening that included the annual homecoming parade. The Aggies honored their 1962 state baseball championship team, including Major League Hall of Fame member Don Sutton. The graduation classes of 1963 and 2003 were also recognized.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
Pictured top: Bailey Burk was named Tate High School’s homecoming queen Friday night. Pictured inset: Major League Hall of Fame member Don Sutton. Pictured below: Homecoming parade. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kaliegh Blackmon and Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Impact 100 Announces 2013 Finalists For Eight $104,500 Grants
September 20, 2013
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a local women’s philanthropy group, announced the 15 grant finalists selected for 2013 Thursday morning. Eight of these 15 finalists will be selected to receive a grant of $104,500 at the IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 20.
The 15 finalists selected by IMPACT 100’s Focus Area Committees are:
ARTS & CULTURE
- Ballet Pensacola, Inc. – Project: A New Nutcracker
- The Santa Rosa County Creek Indian Tribe, Inc.- Project: Infrastructure Development of Tribal Grounds to Host Tribal Public Functions
- Santa Rosa Historical Society, Inc. Project: Light Up The Imogene
EDUCATION
- The Arc Santa Rosa, Inc. – Project: The Arc Santa Rosa ADT Transportation Proposal-2013
- Independence for the Blind of West Florida, Inc. – Project: IMPACT 100 Windows to the World for the Blind Technology Center
- Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. – Project: Teen Time…a place for you to be you!
ENVIRONMENT, RECREATION & PRESERVATION
- Friends of St. John’s Foundation, Inc. – Project: Conservation and Preservation of Historic Grave Sites at St. John’s Cemetery
- Humane Society of Pensacola, Inc. – Project: Humane Society of Pensacola Spay and Neuter Clinic
- Pensacola Museum of Art, Inc. – Project: Jail for Art
FAMILY
- Community Organizations Active in Disaster, Inc. dba Be Ready Alliance - Coordinating for Emergencies (Brace) & Brace, L.L.C. – Project: Center of IMPACT
- Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc. - Project: Moving Safely
- Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Inc. – Project: Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative
HEALTH & WELLNESS
- FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, Inc.- Project: Safe haven for People and Paws
- Gulf Coast Kid’s House- Project: Expanding the Foundation of Care
- Holley Navarre Seniors Association, Inc.- Project 2013 Improvements to HNSA Facilities
This is the 10th year IMPACT 100 has awarded grants to local non-profits. The total amount awarded to date is $4,315,000 since 2004. This year’s awards will bring the total funds awarded in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to $5,151,000.
New Escambia School District Website Now Online
September 20, 2013
The Escambia County School District’s main website has a new look.
The new site is located at www.escambiaschools.org, but the old address of www.escambia.k12.fl.us should be automatically redirected to the new page.
Changes to the site were made based on recommendations from the district’s Web Site Task Force, which is composed of 13 representatives from district departments and schools as well as the community. One of the goals of the Task Force was to make the district’s web site more user-friendly. As the school district migrates content to the new design, visitors to the web site will see five main improvements:
- New design with common menus on all of the main district web site pages to enable easy navigation
- Expanded, alphabetical listing of resources for Students, Families, Staff, and Community
- Quick Links highlighting the most important information based on site usage statistics and input from district leadership
- Social media (beginning with Facebook and Google Calendar) to expand access to news and events
- Faster access to school web sites and consistent placement of common elements on all school web sites for ease of use
Pictured top: A screenshot of the new Escambia County School District website. The site features rotating photos, including this NorthEscambia.com photo of the recent groundbreaking at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Change Of Address: Bratt House Moved
September 19, 2013
There was a big change of address Wednesday for a home that was located on North Highway 99, just north of Highway 4. The home was moved about 10 miles to its new location by Williams House Movers of Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Salvation Army Accepting Applications For Christmas Assistance
September 18, 2013
The Salvation Army is currently accepting applications for Christmas assistance in Escambia County.
The applications will be accepted at the Salvation Army office at 1501 North Q Street in Pensacola. Several items are need to apply, including a photo identification or driver’s license for all persons 18 and older, birth certificates for those under 17, social security cards, proof of income and more. For a complete checklist, click here.
Applications will be accepted September 16-20 and September 23-27 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. There will be a special registration period available for working parents only on Monday, September 23 from 5-7 p.m.
The Christmas toys will be distributed December 18-19 at the Salvation Army office.