Applications Accepted For Florida Urban and Community Forestry Grant Programs
September 21, 2019
The Florida Forest Service is accepting applications for the 2019 Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program and the 2019 Managing Community Forests Grant Program. Both programs are supported through the U.S. Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program which provides funding to local governments, educational institutions, Native American tribal governments and nonprofit groups for urban forestry projects within their communities.
“Urban forestry accounts for over 80,000 jobs and contributes more than $8 billion to Florida’s economy,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Now is the time for our cities and towns to take advantage of these opportunities to more actively manage the urban forests in their communities.”
“Urban forests provide a multitude of environmental and health benefits,” said Jim Karels, state forester and director of the Florida Forest Service. “Restoring and sustaining these forests is vital to protecting and improving the livability of Florida’s communities and the quality of life of our residents.”
The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program is part of Florida’s ongoing initiative to increase and protect existing tree canopies in developed areas. The program is offered for projects implemented on public lands in all Florida counties. This year, projects will focus on promoting storm preparedness and storm recovery assistance. Qualified participants may apply for up to $20,000. Applications for this program will be accepted until Oct. 25, 2019.
The Managing Community Forests Grant Program is a new opportunity aiming to help communities develop an urban forestry management program. The program includes funding up to $55,000 for three projects over a three-year period and is designed for communities with a population between 10,000 and 100,000. Applications for this program will be accepted until Oct. 24, 2019.
To submit a proposal or learn more in Escambia County, contact Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin at (850) 587-5237 or Cathy.Hardin@FDACS.gov.
Murder Suspect Arrested; Second Man Wanted For Questioning
September 20, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a homicide suspect and is looking for a second person for questioning in a murder Friday afternoon in Brownsville.
Gregory Wayne Clark (pictured below) was arrested in connection with a homicide that took place on Mobile Highway at Shoemaker Street about 2 p.m. Friday. He is charged with homicide and aggravated assault with the intent to commit a felony.
The ECSO is still searching for Tony Darius Goodwin (pictured above) for questioning only in the case. Deputies said he should not be approached; anyone that knows his whereabouts should call 911 immediately.
The victim was found a short distance from the shooting location at Trisha’s One Stop on Mobile Highway and Green Street. The ECSO released the surveillance photo below from near the scene. They believe Clark and Goodwin were in the truck.
Health Advisory For Pensacola Beach Near Pier: Stay Out Of The Water Due To Bacteria
September 20, 2019
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued a health advisory for Casino Beach near the Pensacola Beach Pier advising people to stay out of the water to avoid getting sick.
The warning was issued after testing showed a high level of enterococci bacteria.
“Enterococci bacteria are naturally present in the intestines of people and animals,” says Escambia CHD Director Dr. John Lanza. “Water samples gathered at these sites had a levels of enterococci bacteria which exceeds the recommended threshold. We advise against engaging in water-related activities at these sites until further notice.”3
The bacteriological sampling occurred during water quality monitoring activities, and the level of bacteria has exceeded the level established by state guidelines.
The health department will lift the advisory only when additional testing shows the water to be safe.
Fire Destroys Storage Shed, Damages Mobile Home
September 20, 2019
Fire destroyed a storage shed and damaged the exterior of a mobile home on Quintette Road Friday afternoon.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze shortly after 1:00 in the 200 block of West Quintette Road to find the shed fully involved in fire. The heat from the fire melted siding on the side of a nearby mobile home, but quick action by firefighters prevented further damage to the residence.
There was no word on the cause of the fire, and no injuries were reported.
The Cantonment, Molino Ensley, Beulah and Belleview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fire, along with Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Home Run: Volunteers Complete 2,400 Hours Of Work To Repair Miracle League Field
September 20, 2019
Volunteers hit a home run inhelp the Miracle League of Pensacola make repairs to one of their fields over the past month.
Over 250 volunteers worked for over 2,400 combined hours to repair the damaged field for the fall season.
The field is covered with hundreds of tiles to create a safe playing surface for special needs players. Some of those tiles buckled, prompting the painstaking repair process.
All of the tiles had to be removed, pressure washed and replaced one by one.
Pictured: The top photo and first two photos below show the completion of work on the Miracle League Field on Nine Mile Road. The remaining photos below show the scope of work as repairs were underway. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Haas Center Analysis Looks At Possible Hotel, Mixed Use Development In Century
September 20, 2019
A University of West Florida Haas Center has completed a market analysis of the immediate Century area.
The analysis looked at the former Alger Sullivan mill property as a possible location for a mixed use development. Standard guidelines suggest that mixed use development that regions like the Century area may struggle to support such a development. However, there are indications that there is unmet retail demand within the region and the household income for potential spending growth that might support mixed use development, the Haas Center report stated.
The Haas Center also found that a small, well-run bed and breakfast with reasonable development costs could be feasible within the town, but a hotel or motel would likely not be feasible beyond perhaps a small budget facility.
“Small towns often must be more creative with their efforts as the sort of business growth that naturally happens with population growth does not happen for them. While small towns can attract big industry, they often instead must grow it themselves. Small towns are also more reliant on attracting visitor spending from outside of their community in order to grow their economy,” the study states.
In order to be successful, a small town must cooperate, rather than always compete, with neighboring communities when there are mutual benefits to be had, the study found. Flomaton and Century effectively make up a single trade area.
The Haas Center also noted that since it is a farther drive to business districts further south in Escambia County, FL, Century is often more linked to towns like Atmore and Brewton.
The analysis was funded by the Escambia County Commission.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Minor Injuries In Century Single Vehicle Wreck
September 20, 2019
One person was injured in a single vehicle wreck in Century Thursday night.
The vehicle collided with a small tree on East Highway 4 near Freedom Road about 8:30 p.m. The driver was transported with minor injuries to Jay Hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated. The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Boys Golf ‘B’ Team Defeats West Florida, Pine Forest
September 20, 2019
The Tate High School Boys Golf “B” team defeated West Florida and Pine Forest at Scenic Hills scoring 207 over nine holes. Caleb Banks posted the lowest score of the match 46.
This was this squads first match of the season.
Tate Scores (top four used for team total):
Caleb Banks 46
Peyton Caslow 51
Kyle Clifton 54
Jacob Greeson 56
Trip McMann 59
UWF Opens New $26 Million Sciences Annex
September 20, 2019
The University of West Florida Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering celebrated the grand opening of the Laboratory Sciences Annex, a state-of-the-art facility that provides additional space for wet teaching labs and offices for faculty and staff.
“As UWF grows and improves, we are grateful to add facilities that match the caliber of our students and faculty,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “The Laboratory Sciences Annex is no exception, with amenities that aid us in graduating the best of the best in STEM-related fields. I would like to thank the Florida State Legislature, especially our local delegation, for their hard work in securing the funding.”
Funded by the Florida State Legislature, the $26.26 million, 52,790 square-foot facility was designed by local architecture firm, Caldwell Associates, with Perkins+Will, a global firm with a specialty in higher education science and technology, and managed by Greenhut Construction Company, Inc. of Pensacola. The annex houses 12 new teaching facilities for the University’s growing biology and chemistry programs and was designed with unfinished “shell” space for potential expansion. These labs along with the new equipment will provide hands-on educational experiences for students.
As of the Fall 2019 semester, approximately 24% of UWF students have declared a major in the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering. Nearly 100% of first time in college students in a Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering major will find themselves in a lab in the new building.
“This new space is nothing short of impressive,” said Dr. Jaromy Kuhl, dean of the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering. “Students are excited knowing they will benefit from learning with new equipment in an environment specifically designed for their studies.”
The facility features new equipment and room for future enhancements for the biology and chemistry departments. One biology lab contains a Biosafety cabinet, an enclosed, ventilated laboratory workspace for students to work safely with materials contaminated or potentially contaminated with pathogens.
“This will allow us to expand the types of experiments we can have students perform,” said Dr. Peter Cavnar, assistant professor and chair of the Department of Biology. “Our goal is to give every biology undergraduate student research experience. The new annex allows us to expand and redevelop that experience for our students.”
MeasureNet stations, located in the annex, will provide students with high-quality data collection technology for their general, analytical and instrumental chemistry lab courses. The stations are equipped with state-of-the-art probes, providing the opportunity to work with diverse samples and experimental techniques, not previously available.
Flomaton Hurricanes Defeat St. Michael Catholic 53-21
September 20, 2019
The Flomaton Hurricanes defeated the St. Michael Catholic Cardinals 53-21 Thursday night at Majors Field in Fairhope.
The Hurricanes opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 16-yard rushing touchdown from senior Jate’vius Franklin followed by a two point conversion from seniorDa’quan Johnson for an 8-0 lead.
Flomaton was just getting started, adding a 58-yard touchdown from Johnson, a 6-yard touchdown rush from senior Sam Smith, and a 19-yarder from junior Travon Brown to give the defending 3A station champion Hurricanes a 29-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Brown added a 1-yard TD from Brown, a 6-yard touchdown from Brown and a 1-yard touchdown from Franklin for a commanding 47-7 lead at the half.
Up next, the 4-0 Flomaton Hurricanes will set their sights on the Blue Devils of Escambia County High School on September 27.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.