Entire Panhandle Will Get A New Area Code; The 850 Numbers Are Running Out
August 28, 2019
The 850 area code is running out of available phone numbers, and an additional area code would be added under a plan under consideration by state regulators.
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator, which oversees area code planning across the nation, said the 850 area code will run out of available photo numbers in the first quarter of 2022. They have petitioned the Florida Public Service Commission for a new area code that will overlay the existing 850 area code.
The PSC will consider the request at a September 6 workshop meeting.
If approved the new area code would cover the same area as the current 850 area code, which includes Escambia County to Tallahassee.
The new area code would go into service in 2021, with a transition period before the 850 runs out of numbers. The addition will require 10-digit dialing in all of Northwest Florida .
All existing customers would retain the 850 area code and would not have to change their telephone numbers, according to the PSC.
How To Get Married In Alabama Changes Thursday
August 28, 2019
Effective Thursday, getting married in Alabama no longer involves a license, just filling out an application, having it notarized and taking it to the local probate judge’s office.
“The new law removes the need for a marriage license to be obtained in advance. Additionally, while couples certainly may have a ceremony if they wish, a ceremony will no longer be required,” according to the Escambia County (AL) Probate Office.
Persons wishing to marry will no longer file an application for a marriage license with the county probate court, and the courts will no longer issue marriage licenses. Probate judges will instead accept notarized forms completed by couples as official records of marriage.
Once the probate court records the completed marriage certificate form, the marriage is legal. A wedding ceremony may be performed, but a ceremony will no longer be required for a recognized marriage in Alabama. The elimination of marriage licenses will not affect any other aspects of marriage in Alabama, including divorce, spousal support, child support and child custody.
The marriage certificate form can be downloaded at the Alabama Department of Public Health’s website.
A recording fee established by each county probate court must be paid to the court at the time the form is presented for recording. In Escambia County (AL), that fee is $75.
The probate office must receive and file the original form, but a certified copy will be provided to the couple for their personal records. The effective date of the marriage is the latter of the dates of the signatures of the spouses.
Volunteers Still Needed To Help Repair Miracle League Field
August 28, 2019
The Miracle League of Pensacola still needs volunteers to help them prepare a damaged filed in time for their falls season.
The field is covered with hundreds of tiles to create a safe playing surface. All of the tiles must be removed, pressure washed and replace. This will require a “massive” number of volunteers and hours of service, according to league officials.
They will be working each evening this week, weather permitting at 5:30 p.m. Volunteers may need gloves, but no other tools are required.
The park is located at 555 East Nine Mile Road, at the corner of Nine Mile and Airway Drive.
Pictured: Scores of volunteers have helped with repairs for the Miracle League, including these Tate High School baseball players. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rotary Club Donates Hydration Packs For ECSO K-9 Unit
August 28, 2019
The Five Flags Rotary Club donated 15 hydration packs to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
Deputy B. Baker and K-9 Triton, and Deputy T. Bortner and K-9 Zeek attended their weekly luncheon on Monday. Master Deputy Gulsby thanked Five Flags for the donation and had Deputy Baker showed off the hydration packs and discussed how they will help K-9s and officers in the field.
After lunch, club members were able to meet and greet the K-9s.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Man Killed In I-10 Crash
August 27, 2019
An Escambia County man was killed when he crashed into a concrete barrier wall on I-10 Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 47-year old Jasson Skot Smith was traveling west on I-10 approaching Davis Highway when he lost control, left the roadway and struck a concrete barrier wall.
Smith was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no passengers in the vehicle.
Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Huge McDavid Solar Farm Set For Development Review Committee Approval
August 27, 2019
The Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) is set to review the final DRC application for a huge solar farm project in McDavid on Wednesday.
At 74.2 megawatts, the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center will generate enough electricity to power 15,000 homes annual, according to Gulf Power. By comparison, Gulf Power’s largest solar field at Saufley Field is 50 megawatts, enough to power almost 7,400 homes.
NorthEscambia.com was first to report last December that facility was planned for West Bogia Road. At that time, it was dubbed the “Escambia County Solar Energy Center” on 541 acres. Now, documents filed with Escambia County are calling the project the Gulf Power Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center on about 640 acres. Only 353.18 acres will be disturbed.
The development is planned for an area north of West Bogia Road between South Pine Barren Road and Highway 29, just west of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church.
There are currently no homes on the project property.
No water or sewer infrastructure will be necessary to serve the development, and no habitable space will be constructed. The facility will be monitored remotely and will not require onsite personnel for day-to-day operation, but personnel will occasionally visit the site to conduct required maintenance activities, according to previously filed documents.
Once the project makes it through the permitting process, it is expected to create 200-250 jobs during peak construction.
National TV Show Features Local Sister Murder Story
August 27, 2019
A documentary show on national television Monday night explored the case of a Northview High School student that shot and killed her sister in 2011 in an argument over a cellphone.
The episode “A Shot in the Dark” on the series “Twisted Sisters” aired on Investigation Discovery and is now available for streaming from the network.
Elena Janelle Rendell — who was 17 at the time of the August 3, 2011, shooting — was convicted as a youthful offender for shooting 14-year old Christina Marie Sneary, a former Molino resident.
Rendell was sentenced to one year in the county jail, with no credit for nearly one year she spent behind bars awaiting trial. She also received five years probation. The reduced sentence was due to Rendell’s mental capacity at the time of the shooting.
She was also ordered to continue with mental health counseling and treatment.
The two girls had recently moved with their mother from Sunset View Lane in Molino to the 7600 block of Kipling Street in the Ferry Pass community.
Rendell told deputies that she began to argue with Sneary over a cell phone. During the argument, Rendell ran into her parent’s bedroom and retrieved her father’s 9 mm handgun from the top of a television shelf that stood about 12-feet high. Rendell then pointed the handgun at her 14-year old sister and fired a single gunshot into the right side of Sneary’s neck. Sneary died a short time later at Sacred Heart Hospital.
The show was filmed in Escambia County back in February.
44 Blue’s recent crime and justice programming includes HBO’s top-rated documentary “Rock and A Hard Place,” produced in association with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions, which took an in-depth look at an alternative sentencing program for young offenders in Miami. 44 Blue is also known for A&E’s top-rated “Nightwatch,” produced in association with Dick Wolf, MSNBC’S “Lockup,” the longest running prison documentary series on television, and its trio of spinoff series “Lockup: Raw,” “Lockup: World Tour” and “Life After Lockup,” as well as Animal Planet’s number-one rated “Pit Bulls & Parolees,” currently airing its ninth season.
Library Board Of Governance Meets In Century, Plans September Molino Meeting
August 27, 2019
The West Florida Public Libraries Board of Governance held their regular August board meeting Monday at the Century Branch Library.
The board establishes policy and oversees the management of the West Florida Public Libraries and makes annual budget recommendations to the Escambia County Commission.
Four of the five members on the board attended, along with two library staffers. No members of the general public attended the meeting.
That board’s next meeting will be held Monday, September 23 at 4 p.m. at the Molino Branch Library.
Pictured top: John Shelton, director’s aide; Kim Ball, assistant director; and WFPL board members Dr. Laura Bryant, Sally Fox, Brandy Vinson and Dr. Carol Tanksley Monday afternoon at the Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
HS Volleyball: Northview Beats Escambia Academy
August 27, 2019
The Northview Chiefs junior varsity and varsity volleyball teams both defeated Escambia Academy Monday in Bratt.
The varsity Chiefs took three straight sets over the Cougars, winning the last 25-18.
For a varsity action photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO Responds To Reported Shots Fired In Schifko Road Area
August 27, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported shots fired incident near Molino early Sunday morning but could find no evidence that a weapon had been fired.
Deputies responded to the call in the area of Jacks Branch Road and Schifko Road to find a traffic accident just after 1 a.m.
Monday afternoon, the ECSO said there had been a large party in the area, but no one could confirm that shots were fired and no nothing was found to indicate shots had been fired.
The Florida Highway Patrol responded to investigate the traffic accident.
There were no injuries reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..
