Crestview Gets 7-6 Walk-off Win Over Tate Varsity; Aggie JV Beats Crestview; Freshmen Blanked By Baker (With Gallery)
March 12, 2021
Crestview 7, Tate 6
Crestview got a 7-6 walk-off win over the Tate Aggies Thursday night. The Bulldogs were down 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh when Drew Gillis doubled, scoring three runs.
Josiah Glodfelter allowed four hits and one run in six innings while striking out 10 and walking one.
Dalton Bowen went 2-for-3 for Tate. Drew Reaves, Zak Licastro, Bray Touchstone, Jackson Penton, and Tanner Rochon added one hit each for the Aggies.
FOR A PHOTO GALLERY, CLICK HERE.
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Tate 17, Crestview 1 (JV)
Tate High School JV handily beat Crestview 17-1 Thursday.
Ethan McAnally homered for Tate in the second, going 3-3 with 3 RBIs. Cade Kelly, Paul Whitson, Javin Floyd, and Colton Swiers had two each each, and Alan Beasley added one.
Swiers tossed three on the mound, allowing one hit on two runs, striking out five and walking two. Cade Kelly pitched two, walking one and striking out four.
FOR A PHOTO GALLERY, CLICK HERE.
Baker (Mobile, AL) 10, Tate 0 (Freshmen)
Baker of Mobile, Alabama, blanked the Tate Aggies Freshmen 10-0 Thursday.
Neal Croom went for four innings on the hill, allowing six hits and five runs while striking out five and walking one. Conner Hassell tossed one inning allowing four hits on four runs, and Connor Baker went for an inning allowing one run.
Ketch King, Joseph Polk, and Hassell had one hit apiece for Tate.
Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies To Start Arresting Drivers For Passing On Garcon Point Bridge
March 11, 2021
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office will start arresting drivers for passing vehicles on the Garcon Point Bridge.
Sheriff Bob Johnson made the announcement Thursday morning in the wake of two fatalities and many more crashes on the bridge. He said two deputies will patrol the bridge and a third deputy will patrol the area south of the bridge 24 hours a day in an effort funded by the Florida Department of Transportation.
“One of those almost killed one of my deputies,” Johnson said. “That was one of the fatal crashes where the guy was passing in a no passing zone — which by the way the entire bridge is a no passing zone — he almost hit my deputy head-on, missed him barely and then hit another car and he ended up dying.”
“We are targeting people passing on the bridge,” Johnson said. “We are going to stop some of this crazy driving.”
The entire link of the Garcon Point Bridge is a no-passing zone.
“If you think you’re special, we’re going to make you special. If you pass on that bridge in a reckless fashion, we’re going to arrest you. We’re going to put you in the Milton Hilton for free and we’re going to tow your car because we’re going to make it a point that we’re not going to have any more fatal collisions on that bridge if we can help it,” Johnson said. “We can’t fix stupid, but we can give it a court date.”
The Garcon Point Bridge is the major detour route since the Pensacola Bay Bridge was closed in September. The daily traffic count has increased from about 7,000 vehicles a day to around 35,000.
Reckless driving in Florida is a second degree misdemeanor in Florida that is punishable by up to 90 days in the jail and a $500 fine for the first offense.
Cantonment COVID-19 Testing Closed Thursday And Friday
March 11, 2021
The Community Health Northwest Florida COVID-19 testing site at Cantonment Pediatrics will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Also:
- COVID-19 testing at Brownsville has moved to Jackson Street from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday.
- COVID-19 testing at Jackson Street will be combined rapid testing and send outs from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday.
The changes were made to accommodate various COVID-19 vaccination events.
State Appeals Court Affirms Dismissal Of Apartment Developer’s Utility Lawsuit Against Town Of Century
March 11, 2021
The Florida First District Court of Appeals on Wednesday affirmed the Escambia County Circuit Court dismissal of The Paces Foundation and Century Park Apartments lawsuit against the Town of Century.
In February 2020, the lower court adopted both arguments that the town raised in defense that sovereign immunity and fraud statutes each precluded the developer’s claims.
The Paces Foundation and Century Park Apartments contended they owed $63,750 for water and wastewater connection fees, but instead they were forced to pay over $100,000 more.
Paces contended that they elected to make their $10 million investment in Century in late 2015, at which time a 2015 water rate ordinance was in effect. Those rates were in effect until increased in a series of acts by the town council, increasing costs over $100,000 for the developer, according to the motion.
Paces argued it was not “just and equitable” to increase the rates after the property was developed.
The Dispute
In February 2018, Paces submitted a $165,180 check to the town for water and wastewater tap fees along with a protest letter from attorney William J. Dunaway of the Clark Partington law firm in Pensacola. The letter informed the town that the payment was made in full, but the amount remained in dispute.
Paces asked for a declaration that they owed the town $63,750 for full payment and an additional $101,430 deposit charged was invalid.
The lower fee of $63,750, according to Paces, was decided upon during a 2015 meeting with then-mayor Freddie McCall and Town Planner Debbie Nickles. The only written agreement to come out of that meeting was a handwritten page showing calculations that Paces said were based upon the 2015 rates as published online in the town’s municipal code. The handwritten document also included a proposed fee for natural gas; however, the developer later opted to go all-electric.
In 2017, the town council passed two resolutions increasing the water and sewer tap fees and charged Paces based upon 50 connections. The apartment complex, according to the lawsuit, has only one master meter that serves all 50 units.
Paces contended they relied upon the lower payment quote in determining their financial options with the apartment development. They contended they were forced to submit the higher fee in order to obtain utility services and obtain a certificate of occupancy for the apartments.
McCall and Nickles did not deny the meeting, nor did they deny the agreement or the approximate $63,000 tap fee. “The town made a commitment to them. To me, they should do the right thing and honor that commitment,” Nickles said during a March 2018 town council meeting also attended by McCall.
Pictured top: Century Park Apartments. Pictured top inset: A check submitted under protest to the town by the Paces Foundation. Pictured bottom inset: The handwritten document Paces contends demonstrated a lower water and sewer tap fee as authorized by town code. Pictured below: Century’s justification for the $165,180 tap fee charged to the developer. NorthEscambia.com photo and images, click to enlarge.
IMPACT 100 To Award Over $1.1 Million In Grants To 11 Community Groups
March 11, 2021
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a local women’s philanthropic organization, announced Wednesday evening that they have a total of 1,120 members for 2021.
That means IMPACT 100 will give back $1,120,000 by awarding 11 transformative project grants of $101,820 each to nonprofit organizations serving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in October.
This is the 18th year IMPACT 100 will have awarded grants to local nonprofit organizations. After awarding the 2021 grants, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area will have funded 131 grants, totaling $13,950,000.
“What a wonderful, giving community we live in! The spirit of philanthropy is alive and well among us as demonstrated by the 1,120 women who have chosen to be a part of IMPACT 100 in 2021. Through our collective giving over 17 years of supporting nonprofit organizations in our two-county area, we have contributed $12,830,000 to our community. This coming October when we award grants to eleven nonprofit organizations, our total economic impact will reach almost $14 million,” said Roz Leahy, president of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area. “The women of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area continue to help our nonprofit organizations launch truly transformative projects that benefit thousands of people, young and old, in our communities.”
In October, IMPACT 100 will award two grants in each of five focus areas: Arts, Culture and History; Education; Environment, Recreation and Preservation; Family; and Health & Wellness. One additional grant will be awarded in one of the five focus areas for a total of 11 transformative grants.
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area will host a free Nonprofit Webinar for those considering applying for a grant on Tuesday, April 20 via Zoom.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century To Apply For $2.15 Million Grant To Rehab Community Centers, Camp Fire USA, Chamber
March 11, 2021
The Town of Century is taking the next step toward applying for a $2.15 million coronavirus relief grant.
Following a public hearing, the town council voted Tuesday night to seek technical assistance from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to review the town’s pre-application project for a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant — Coronavirus Funds.
Century will apply for:
— $1 million for rehabilitation of the Carver Community Center
— $562,000 for rehabilitation of the town’s “Ag Building” community center on West Highway 4 and a parking lot
— $250,000 for rehabilitation of the Camp Fire USA buildings (owned by the town)
— $147,000 for rehabilitation of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce building (owned by the town)
The grants will be awarded by the state in amounts ranging from $200,000 to $5 million for neighborhood revitalization, commercial revitalization, economic development, public service, planning or housing. The grant requires that at least 70% of the funds must be used for benefit low and moderate income persons.
If DEO determines Century’s application is eligible for funding, then a second public hearing will be scheduled before a final application is submitted.
Pictured: Pastor Michael Steward of Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church questions a grant application for the Carver Community Center as resident Helen Mincy listens. Pictured inset: Century resident Robert Mitchell also questions a grant application for the Carver Community Center. Pictured below: Century Town Council President Luis Gomez during a recent public hearing. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Raises Sales Tax To 11%
March 11, 2021
The Flomaton Town Council voted Wednesday to raise the total sales tax in the town to 11%.
Due to declining revenue, the town council voted to up the sales tax by a penny on the dollar. That’s expected to boost the bottom line around $175,000 a year.
The sales tax increase will go into effect on June 1 under Alabama Department of Revenue rules.
With an the increase, Flomaton’s 11% tax will be the highest in the area, along with East Brewton also at 11%. The sales tax rate in Atmore and Brewton is 10%. Across the state line in Florida, the sales tax rate is 7.5% in Escambia County and 7.0% in Santa Rosa County. The full 11% tax applies to food and medicine in Flomaton, while those items are tax free in Florida.
Pictured: Businesses on Sidney Manning Boulevard in Flomaton NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggie Freshmen Beat Navarre (With Photo Gallery)
March 11, 2021
The Tate High Aggie Freshman beat Navarre on Wednesday.
Gabe Patterson went four innings on the mound for the Aggies, allowing just one hit, no runs and striking out five. Cole McNair pitched three innings, allowing one run in the seventh inning on one hit and striking out six.
McNair and Connor Baer had two hits each for Tate. Conner Hassell and Patterson each had one hit.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages Cantonment Apartment Building
March 11, 2021
A Cantonment apartment building was damaged by fire late Wednesday afternoon.
The fire in the two-story building behind a home in the 2400 block of Highway 297A was reported shortly after 5 p.m. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze.
Everyone in the apartment was able to escape the fire without injury.
The Cantonment, Ensley, Brent, Bellview, Beulah and Osceola stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Kingsfield, Tate Road Rollover Wreck
March 10, 2021
One person was injured in a two vehicle rollover crash Wednesday afternoon at East Kingsfield Road and Tate Road.
The injured person was transported to a Pensacola hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries not considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
